Composer of the Month 4/2009: Georg Friedrich Handel   (selected by Peter van Dessel / Belgium)

German Reich 21.6.1935 Georg Friedrich Handel was born at Halle February 23rd, 1685. He started law studies, soon, however, completely devoted himself to the music and became organist at the Cathedral and Castle Church in Halle. In 1703 he became violinist at the Hamburg opera. Handel spent the years 1706 to 1710 in Italy where he thoroughly studied the Italian opera. In 1710 he was appointed as the court conductor in Hanover, however, spent a large portion of the time in London. In England his compositions were such a big successes, that Queen Anne exposed a high annual salary to him. 1727 the English civil right was awarded to him. Handel's compositional works cover more than forty operas as well as numerous oratorios and instrumental works. Georg Friedrich handel died in London on April 14th, 1759. His death anniversary comes up again for the 250th time in April 2009. The video shows choir and orchestra of the Stuttgart "Bach-Kollegium" with conductor Helmut Rilling performing the "Hallelujah" from Handel's "Messiah". More composers in our "members only" section.