George Frideric Handel

Life and music

George Frideric Handel was born in Halle in 1685 and died in London in 1759. Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow taught him composition and instruments in Halle. His career later took him through Hamburg and Italy to Hanover and London. In London he wrote Italian operas and English oratorios, including Messiah. From 1723 he lived at Brook Street, now the home of the Handel Hendrix House museum.

Explore contrasting keyboard textures through the B-flat Sonatina, the D-minor Sarabande and the Passacaille associated with HWV432. Listen for how a musical pattern returns and changes. These choices are invitations to explore, not a required course.

Sources

• imslp.org/Category:Handel,_George_Frid
• mutopiaproject.org
• imslp.org/Keyboard_Sonatina_in_B-flat_
• halle.de
• handelhendrix.org
• handelandhaydn.org
• haydnhaus.at

Where to start

1. 1Sonatina in B-flat major, HWV 585Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
2. 2Sarabande in D minor: source piano editionLevel 4, estimatedWith Maestro
3. 3Passacaille, Suite No. 7, HWV 432Level 7, estimatedWith Maestro

More pieces in the Music Room

At the dance floor

• Minuet in G minor, HWV 434/4Level 4, estimatedWith Maestro

More pieces

• Allegro, Suite No. 3, HWV 428Level 7, estimatedWith Maestro
• Gigue, Suite No. 7, HWV 432Level 6, estimatedWith Maestro
• Sarabande, Suite No. 7, HWV 432Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
• Gavotte in G major, HWV 491Level 3, estimatedWith Maestro
• Impertinence (Bourrée), HWV 494Level 4, estimatedWith Maestro
• Fugue in G minor, HWV 605Level 6, estimatedWith Maestro
• Fugue in B-flat major, HWV 607Level 6, estimatedWith Maestro