George
Frederic Handel
Handel, a Baroque composer, was born
in Germany in 1685 and died in
1759. When he was young, his father
wanted him to become a lawyer, but
Handel had no interest in that
particular social position. His
father even forbid any music or
instruments in the home, but Handel
managed to smuggle a small clavier
(early piano) into the attic and
muffled the strings so that his
father would not be able to hear him
play.
Handel learned to play the
harpsichord, oboe, organ, and
violin. He composed six sonatas by
the time he was 11 years old and
completed the Messiah in
less than one month. While in
Germany, Handel was employed by the
man who later became King George I
of England. Handel became a British
citizen, well known for his
outstanding skill on the organ.
When he died was buried in England's
most sacred place, Westminster
Abbey.
