German composer courtier of the English king. Biography

Bednorz Georg (b. May 16, 1950) The German physicist Johannes Georg Bednorz was born in Neuenkirchen (North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany). Johannes was the fourth child in the family of Anton and Elizabeth Bednortsov. Bednorz's parents, originating from Silesia, lost sight of a friend

Georg Friedrich Handel (1685-1759) - the greatest German composer of the Enlightenment, he was born on February 23, 1685 in Halle, near Leipzig. The musician spent the second half of his life in London, he was buried in Westminster Abbey. Because of this, it is often called national English composer.

Handel wrote dozens of operas and oratorios. There was a certain drama and psychological romanticism in his works. It seemed that the musician never rested, he free time devoted to art. He is often compared to Bach, but their works are fundamentally different in their mood. Handel saw strength in people, believed that they were able to change any circumstances. Johann, on the other hand, often succumbed to the influence of Christian dogmas, he portrayed passive and submissive personalities.

musical gift

The father of the future composer was a doctor and a barber. He worked at the royal court, died when his son was 18 years old. It was the father who sent his son to study with the talented organist Friedrich Zakhov. Nothing is known about the musician's mother.

Even as a child, George showed extraordinary ability to perform musical works. At the age of seven, he already played the organ brilliantly. The boy conquered the Duke of Saxony with his talent, dreamed of continuing to make music, but his father insisted on getting a law degree. As a result, after school, Handel became a law student, but in parallel with this, he worked part-time in the church, playing the organ. He gave several concerts on the harpsichord in different halls in Berlin.

In 1702 the musician received a position in Halle. He was constantly invited to speak, and the young man also gave piano and singing lessons. Gradually, there was simply no time left to study law. Georg left the university and went to Hamburg, the local capital of the opera. There he became the second violinist of the orchestra.

First works

Georg began composing music at the age of ten. Then he wrote small pieces for organ and church cantatas. His compositions were meaningful and complex, it was difficult to recognize a boy in them. school age. After moving to Hamburg, he continued to study, playing the violin and conducting. At that time he wrote four operas, of which only Almira has survived. Thanks to her, the young man received an invitation from Italy. By that time, the Kaiser Theater had gone bankrupt, and the composer had lost his job.

Shortly before the move, Handel presented to the public his works "Nero" and "Passion for St. John". They were not successful, and because of the latter, the musician almost lost his life. He challenged to a duel music critic Matheson, who smashed the "Passion ..." to smithereens. He agreed and even struck the musician with a sword. A coat button saved him from death.

For several years, George managed to visit Rome, Florence, Venice and Naples. He wrote about 40 operas, perfectly mastered the Italian style. In 1707, the first performance of the opera Rodrigo took place in Florence, and in 1709 Handel conquered Venice with his Agrippina. Thanks to his works, he became an honorary member of the Arcadian Academy, began to receive orders from wealthy Italians.

"Agrippina" was called the most melodic and beautiful opera, the composer's music was talked about in different countries. He was even invited to become the court bandmaster in Hannover, but even there the musician did not stay long. He continued to write operas, secular cantatas and church works. Also the German became famous performer on organ and clavier.

Life in London

In 1710, Handel decided to change his life. He went to the English capital, where he studied choral art. At that time there were very few composers in London, and music was in crisis. In just 14 days, Georg was able to compose the opera "Rinaldo" commissioned by the local theater. The most famous part of it was the aria "Leave me to cry." The German also created 12 psalms on biblical texts, wrote three orchestral suites called "Music on the Water". They were performed during the royal parade on the Thames.

Thanks to his abilities, the musician received the position of the official composer at the royal court. At the same time he wrote several chamber duets and compositions for oboe. His financial situation gradually improved, the composer was even able to buy own house. The queen was supportive of the German, she granted him a lifetime pension after hearing the Ode for his birthday. From 1716, George finally settled in London.

IN next year Handel briefly worked for the Duke of Chandos. He continued to compose, paying much attention to the formation of the author's style. The composer intended to instill in the British an understanding of Italian opera traditions, but this idea was not to everyone's liking. Intrigues were woven against the musician, he was criticized and envied.

It was during this period of struggle that Georg was able to compose his the best works- operas "Julius Caesar", "Otto", "Tamerlane" and "Radamist". The listeners appreciated them, but more and more new ones appeared in the country. talented musicians. The British had a negative attitude towards foreigners, so the royal family was less and less supportive of Handel.

Back in 1720, the composer became the head of the Royal Academy of Music Opera House. In 1729 the establishment went bankrupt and had to close. The German tried to restore the academy by recruiting a new troupe in Italy. Then the works "Alchin", "Roland" and "Ariodant" appeared. The musician put his whole soul into them, added ballet and expanded the choir. But in 1737 the theater finally ceased to exist. Handel took the loss hard, he even had a stroke.

Recovery after illness

After nervous shocks in London, the musician was paralyzed for several months. He was recovering from a stroke, struggling with severe depression. He managed to return to creativity only after treatment at a resort in Aachen. From 1740 Handel began to write again, but this time he turned his attention to the oratorio genre. The most famous works of that period were "Imeneo", "Saul" and "Israel in Egypt".

After returning, George received an invitation from the Irish lord. He traveled to Dublin, where he wrote the oratorio Messiah. Later, the works "Judas Maccabee" and "Oratorio for the case" were presented to the public. Thanks to these patriotic oratorios, the German was able to return to England, where he received the title national composer. The royal family accepted him again, Handel even wrote the music for the grandiose fireworks.

IN last years During his life, the German often collaborated with other musicians, for example, with Erba and Stradelli. He helped to develop and enrich their works, processed them. Due to health problems and gradually deteriorating vision, the composer wrote new works less and less. In 1750 he began to create the oratorio "Jephthae". By the time the work was completed, he was already completely blind.

Handel died on April 14, 1759. He never married, had no children. But after himself, the composer left amazing works. He is remembered and honored in different countries, the works of the musician gave him immortality and eternal glory.

G. F. Handel is one of the biggest names in history musical art. The great composer of the Enlightenment, he opened up new perspectives in the development of the genre of opera and oratorio, anticipated many musical ideas of subsequent centuries - the operatic drama of K. V. Gluck, the civic pathos of L. Beethoven, the psychological depth of romanticism. This is a unique person. inner strength and conviction. "You can despise anyone and anything," said B. Shaw, "but you are powerless to contradict Handel." ".....

G. F. Handel is one of the biggest names in the history of musical art. The great composer of the Enlightenment, he opened up new perspectives in the development of the genre of opera and oratorio, anticipated many musical ideas of subsequent centuries - the operatic drama of K. V. Gluck, the civic pathos of L. Beethoven, the psychological depth of romanticism. He is a man of unique inner strength and conviction. "You can despise anyone and anything," said B. Shaw, "but you are powerless to contradict Handel." "... When his music sounds on the words "sitting on his eternal throne", the atheist is speechless."

Handel's national identity is disputed by Germany and England. Handel was born in Germany; creative person composer, his artistic interests, skill. Most of the life and work of Handel is connected with England, the formation aesthetic position in the art of music, consonant with the enlightenment classicism of A. Shaftesbury and A. Paul, a tense struggle for its approval, crisis defeats and triumphant successes.

Handel was born in Halle, the son of a court barber. Early onset musical ability were noticed by the Elector of Halle - Duke of Saxony, under whose influence the father (who intended to make his son a lawyer and did not attach serious importance to music as a future profession) sent the boy to study best musician the city of F. Tsakhov. A good composer, an erudite musician, familiar with the best essays of his time (German, Italian), Tsakhov revealed to Handel the wealth of different musical styles, instilled an artistic taste, and helped to work out the composer's technique. The writings of Tsakhov himself largely inspired Handel to imitate. Early formed as a person and as a composer, Handel was already known in Germany by the age of 11. While studying law at the University of Halle (where he entered in 1702, fulfilling the will of his father, who had already died by that time), Handel simultaneously served as an organist in the church, composed, and taught singing. He always worked hard and enthusiastically. In 1703, driven by the desire to improve, expand areas of activity, Handel leaves for Hamburg - one of cultural centers Germany of the 18th century, a city that has the first public opera house in the country, competing with the theaters of France and Italy. It was the opera that attracted Handel. Desire to feel the atmosphere musical theater, practically get acquainted with opera music, makes him enter the modest position of second violinist and harpsichordist in the orchestra. Rich artistic life of the city, cooperation with prominent musical figures of that time - R. Kaiser, opera composer, then director of the opera house, I. Mattheson - critic, writer, singer, composer - had a huge impact on Handel. The influence of the Kaiser is found in many of Handel's operas, and not only in the early ones.

The success of the first opera productions in Hamburg ("Almira" - 1705, "Nero" - 1705) inspires the composer. However, his stay in Hamburg is short-lived: the bankruptcy of the Kaiser leads to the closure of the opera house. Handel goes to Italy. Visiting Florence, Venice, Rome, Naples, the composer studies again, absorbing a wide variety of artistic impressions, primarily operatic ones. Handel's ability to perceive multinational musical art was exceptional. It takes just a few months, and he masters the style Italian opera, moreover, with such perfection that it surpasses many authorities recognized in Italy. In 1707, Florence staged Handel's first Italian opera, Rodrigo, and 2 years later, Venice staged the next, Agrippina. Operas receive enthusiastic recognition from Italians, very demanding and spoiled listeners. Handel becomes famous - he enters the famous Arcadian Academy (along with A. Corelli, A. Scarlatti. B. Marcello), receives orders to compose music for the courts of Italian aristocrats.

However, the main word in the art of Handel should be said in England, where he was first invited in 1710 and where he finally settled in 1716 (in 1726, accepting English citizenship). From this time begins new stage in the life and work of the great master. England with its early educational ideas, examples high literature(J. Milton, J. Dryden, J. Swift) turned out to be that fruitful environment where the composer's mighty creative forces were revealed. But for England itself, the role of Handel was equal to an entire era. English music, which lost its national genius G. Purcell in 1695 and stopped in development, again rose to world heights only with the name of Handel. His path in England, however, was not easy. The British hailed Handel at first as a master of Italian-style opera. Here he quickly defeated all his rivals, both English and Italian. Already in 1713, his Te Deum was performed at the festivities dedicated to the conclusion of the Peace of Utrecht, an honor that no foreigner had previously been awarded. In 1720, Handel takes over the leadership of the Academy of Italian Opera in London and thus becomes the head of the national opera house. His operatic masterpieces are born - "Radamist" - 1720, "Otto" - 1723, "Julius Caesar" - 1724, "Tamerlane" - 1724, "Rodelinda" - 1725, "Admet" - 1726. In these works, Handel goes beyond the framework of the contemporary Italian opera seria and creates (its own type of musical performance with brightly defined characters, psychological depth and dramatic intensity of conflicts. The noble beauty of the lyrical images of Handel's operas, the tragic power of culminations had no equal in the Italian operatic art of their time. His operas stood at the threshold of the maturing opera reform, which Handel not only felt, but also implemented in many respects (much earlier than Gluck and Rameau). At the same time, the social situation in the country, the growth national identity, stimulated by the ideas of the Enlightenment, the reaction to the obsessive predominance of Italian opera and Italian singers gives rise to a negative attitude towards opera as a whole. Pamphlets are created for Italian operas, the very type of opera, its characters, capricious performers are ridiculed. As a parody, the English satirical comedy The Beggar's Opera by J. Gay and J. Pepush appeared in 1728. And although Handel's London operas are spreading throughout Europe as masterpieces of this genre, the decline in the prestige of Italian opera as a whole is reflected in Handel. The theater is boycotted, the success of individual productions does not change the overall picture.

In June 1728, the Academy ceased to exist, but Handel's authority as a composer did not fall with this. The English King George II orders him anthemes on the occasion of the coronation, which are performed in October 1727 in Westminster Abbey. At the same time, with his characteristic tenacity, Handel continues to fight for the opera. He travels to Italy, recruits a new troupe, and in December 1729, with the opera Lothario, opens the season of the second opera academy. In the composer's work, it is time for new searches. "Poros" ("Por") - 1731, "Orlando" - 1732, "Partenope" - 1730. "Ariodant" - 1734, "Alchina" - 1734 - in each of these operas the composer updates the interpretation of the genre of opera seria in different ways - introduces ballet ("Ariodant", "Alcina"), the "magic" plot saturates with deeply dramatic, psychological content ("Orlando", "Alcina"), in musical language reaches the highest perfection - simplicity and depth of expressiveness. There is also a turn from a serious opera to a lyrical-comic one in "Partenope" with its soft irony, lightness, grace, in "Faramondo" (1737), "Xerxes" (1737). Handel himself called one of his last operas, Imeneo (Hymeneus, 1738), an operetta. Exhausting, not without political overtones, the struggle of Handel for the opera house ends in defeat. The Second Opera Academy was closed in 1737. Just as earlier, in the Beggar's Opera, the parody was not without the involvement of Handel's widely known music, so now, in 1736, a new parody of the opera (The Vantley Dragon) indirectly mentions Handel's name. The composer takes the collapse of the Academy hard, falls ill and does not work for almost 8 months. However, striking vitality hidden in it, again take their toll. Handel returns to action with new energy. He creates his latest operatic masterpieces - "Imeneo", "Deidamia" - and with them he completes work on the operatic genre, to which he devoted more than 30 years of his life. The composer's attention is focused on the oratorio. While still in Italy, Handel began composing cantatas, sacred choral music. Later, in England, Handel wrote choral anthems, festive cantatas. Closing choruses in operas, ensembles also played a role in the process of honing the composer's choral writing. And Handel's opera itself is, in relation to his oratorio, the foundation, the source of dramatic ideas, musical images, and style.

In 1738, one after another, 2 brilliant oratorios were born - “Saul” (September 1738) and “Israel in Egypt” (October 1738) - gigantic compositions full of victorious power, majestic hymns in honor of the strength of the human spirit and feat. 1740s - a brilliant period in the work of Handel. Masterpiece follows masterpiece. "Messiah", "Samson", "Belshazzar", "Hercules" - now world-famous oratorios - were created in an unprecedented strain of creative forces, in a very short period of time (1741-43). However, success does not come immediately. Hostility on the part of the English aristocracy, sabotaging the performance of oratorios, financial difficulties, overworked work again lead to the disease. From March to October 1745, Handel was in a severe depression. And again the titanic energy of the composer wins. The political situation in the country is also changing dramatically - in the face of the threat of an attack on London by the Scottish army, a sense of national patriotism is mobilized. The heroic grandeur of Handel's oratorios turns out to be consonant with the mood of the British. Inspired by national liberation ideas, Handel writes 2 grandiose oratorios - Oratorio for the Case (1746), calling for the fight against the invasion, and Judas Maccabee (1747) - a powerful anthem in honor of the heroes defeating enemies.

Handel becomes the idol of England. Bible stories and the images of oratorios acquire at this time a special meaning of a generalized expression of high ethical principles, heroism, and national unity. The language of Handel's oratorios is simple and majestic, it attracts to itself - it hurts the heart and cures it, it does not leave anyone indifferent. Handel's last oratorios - "Theodora", "The Choice of Hercules" (both 1750) and "Jephthae" (1751) - reveal such depths of psychological drama that were not available to any other genre of music of Handel's time.

In 1751 the composer went blind. Suffering, hopelessly ill, Handel remains at the organ while performing his oratorios. He was buried, as he wished, at Westminster.

Admiration for Handel was experienced by all composers, both in the 18th and 19th centuries. Handel idolized Beethoven. In our time, Handel's music, which has huge force artistic impact, acquires a new meaning and meaning. Its mighty pathos is in tune with our time, it appeals to the strength of the human spirit, to the triumph of reason and beauty. Annual celebrations in honor of Handel are held in England, Germany, attracting performers and listeners from all over the world.

Composer G. Handel is one of prominent people era of the Enlightenment. It was thanks to him that such genres as opera and oratorio appeared in music. We can say that this man was a musical visionary, because he anticipated the emergence of operatic drama and civil pathos, ideas inherent in Gluck and Beethoven. The composer Handel was an extremely interesting and stubborn man.

Nationality

It so happened that two countries can claim the title of Handel's homeland at once. By birth and blood affiliation, he is German. Born and raised in Germany, where he started his creative way. But England appeared in his life suddenly and remained there forever. It was there that his view of music was formed, new genres and directions appeared. England became the place where the composer Handel took place, where he became famous and popular.

Childhood and youth

Was born future composer in Halle in the family of a doctor. The boy began to show up early and his father sent him to study with the best musician in the city. The mentor was able to instill in Handel a good musical taste, to achieve a pure technique of performance and introduced him to all musical styles and genres of the time. The composer Handel, whose biography is somewhat similar to the life story of Mozart, by the age of 11 was an excellent writer and performer, known throughout Germany.

Fulfilling the last will of his father, Handel trained as a lawyer at the university, but did not give up music lessons. Constantly honing his playing skills, he leaves for Hamburg in search of inspiration. The opera house (one of the first in the country) attracts the musician. Handel, an opera composer, worked there as a violinist and harpsichordist. But even such an occupation did not prevent him from taking the best of the time spent within the walls of the theater. Unfortunately, the bankruptcy of the head of the opera leads to its closure.

travel time

Leaving Germany, the composer Handel moves to Italy, his plans include visiting Rome, Florence, Venice, Naples. There he again acquires knowledge, absorbs, like a sponge, the experience of the masters of the old school. He succeeds with such brilliance that in a few months his first Italian opera is published, which receives well-deserved recognition from the public. Shortly thereafter, the composer began to receive private orders from rich and eminent Italians.

England

Having first appeared on Misty Island in 1710 at the invitation of friends, the composer Handel, whose work will be inextricably linked in this country, finally crosses the English Channel only by 1716. Ten years later he took English citizenship. Here he was able to quickly captivate the audience with the mere manner of his acting, and the operas were a resounding success. A new, fresh wave, which was brought by Handel, a composer from the continent, completely alien to the British in spirit, stirred up the bored listeners, and returned their interest in music.

British style features

Composing music in England, Handel goes far beyond the traditional Italian opera. His works amaze with the drama, depth, and brightness of the characters. It helped raise musical creativity to a new level, to carry out such necessary reforms in the approach to writing works. Composer Handel even for some time the public because of his too outstanding abilities. In England, reforms are coming in all areas, the self-consciousness of the people is growing, hence the negative attitude towards everything foreign.

Even after the disturbing events and disgrace, Handel's authority in the bohemian environment did not decrease. The order of King George II helped to strengthen it even more. Without stopping attempts to revive the opera, the composer travels to Italy for new artists. But long, exhausting and partly political struggle behind new genre ends in defeat. This undermines Handel's health, and he spends almost 8 months in bed. Having written two more operas, he finishes work on this genre in general.

Spiritual music

In 1738, two oratorios, later recognized as brilliant, were presented to the high society. But the composer does not stop there, but continues to write church music. In a short period of time, at the peak of inspiration and fame, Handel writes four more amazing oratorios one after another. However, the aristocracy is trying to "throw" him off his creative pedestal. And for a while they succeed. The writer is severely depressed. But the impending war with Scotland changes the mood in the country, and the British once again exalt Handel among other composers. His works, written in honor of the victory of England, became the anthems of a new era and the final stage of a long creative journey.

End of life

In 1751, blindness puts Handel back in a hospital bed. It is already, unfortunately, irreversible, and this makes the composer fall into despair. A few years ago, everyone loved and revered, now he was left behind these celebrations alone with difficulties. But, despite this, he continues to stubbornly play his works in public. According to the composer's wish, after his death he was buried in Westminster.

All composers of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, especially Beethoven, had a special reverence for the creative genius of Handel. Even three centuries later, in our modern age, Handel's strong and deep music resonates with listeners. It makes you take a fresh look at old stories, acquires a different meaning, closer to contemporaries. Every year in Germany and England there are holidays and festivals dedicated to this. They attract a huge number of both professional musicians and just tourists from different corners planets. And this means that his work is not forgotten, it will glorify the memory of its creator for many more years, perhaps even centuries. And the spirit of Handel will invisibly and incorporeally support the creators of operas and oratorios, like a guardian angel.

Georg Friedrich Handel (1685-1759), German composer.

Born February 27, 1685 in the city of Galle. WITH early childhood the boy had a talent for music, but his father dreamed that he would become a lawyer. Nevertheless, the parents allowed their son to take organ and composition lessons from F. V. Zachau.

After the death of his father in 1697, Handel decided to devote himself entirely to music; however, back in 1702, he continued to study at the faculty of jurisprudence at the University of Halle. At the same time, Handel received the post of organist of the Protestant cathedral. In 1703, the musician left for Hamburg, where he took the place of second violinist, harpsichordist and conductor of the Hamburg Opera.

In this city, he wrote and staged his first opera, The Vicissitudes of the Royal Fate, or Almira, Queen of Castile (1705). Since then, opera has taken a central place in Handel's work. He wrote over 40 works of this type of musical art.

From 1706 to 1710 the composer spent in Italy, improving his skills. In addition, he performed in concerts with great success as a virtuoso performer on the organ and harpsichord.

Glory to Handel was brought by his next opera - "Agrippina" (1709). From Italy, he went back to Germany, to Hanover, where he took the place of the court Kapellmeister, and then to London. Here in 1711 he staged his opera Rinaldo.

Beginning in 1712, the composer lived mainly in the English capital; he was patronized at first by Queen Anne Stewart, and after her death by George I. Since the opening of the Royal Academy of Music opera house in 1719, headed by Handel, the time has come for his brilliant fame. The composer wrote his operas one after another: "Radamist" (1720), "Muzio Scaevola" (1721), "Otto" and "Flavius" (both 1723), "Julius Caesar" and "Tamerlane" ( both 1724), "Rodelinde" (1725), "Scipio" and "Alexander" (both 1726), "Admet" and "Richard I" (both 1727).

In 1727, Handel received English citizenship. In 1728, due to financial difficulties, the opera house was closed. It was a difficult time for Handel, he tried to create new theater, traveled to Italy several times. All these troubles undermined his health: in 1737 he was paralyzed on the right side of his body. But the composer did not leave creativity. In 1738 he was
the opera "Xerxes" was written, but the next opera - "Deidamia" (1741) - failed, and Handel did not write more operas.

He settled on the genre of oratorio, in which, on a no lesser scale, he showed the full strength of his genius. Among the best examples of this genre are "Saul" and "Israel in Egypt" (both 1739), "Messiah" (1742), "Samson" (1743), "Judas Maccabee" (1747), "Ievfai" (1752). In addition to the oratorios, Handel wrote about a hundred cantatas, and for the orchestra - 18 concertos under the general title "Big Concertos".

After 1752, Handel's eyesight deteriorated greatly, and at the end of his life he was completely blind. Nevertheless, the composer continued to create. The last concert under his direction, in which the oratorio "Messiah" was performed, took place eight days before Handel's death.