12 Tremendous Composers 12 Composers    

Lesson 2: Water Music

by George Frideric Handel

Performer: Bath Festival Orchestra

Directions

Study the musical selection for one week.

Over the week:

• Listen to the music daily.
• Read the synopsis.
• Review the vocabulary terms.
• Read about the composer.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Study the review questions.

Synopsis

George Frideric Handel composed 'Water Music' for a 1717 concert on London's River Thames per the request of England's King George I. The King listened to 'Water Music' from a barge on the Thames, and loved the composition so much, he asked for three repeat performances.

Vocabulary

Barge: A richly decorated ceremonial state vessel propelled by rowers for river processions.
Capellmeister: A term used during the baroque and classical period for the person in charge of music at a noble court.
Coronation: The act or solemnity of crowning a sovereign, such as a king.

Composer

1. When George Handel was twelve years old, his father died. From that time on he worked hard to perfect himself in his profession. He became organist at Halle, but soon left there for Hamburg, which at that time was renowned for its music.
2. Here Handel began to work his way, making many friends, one of whom was the famous Johann Mattheson. One day Handel and Mattheson went by coach to Lubeck, where, at one of the churches, an organist was wanted. Mattheson wished to try for the position, but when he learned he would have to marry the daughter of the old organist he and Handel came back to Hamburg heart free. This is a fine old picture of Handel's friend, Johann Mattheson.

3. Though George Handel went to Hamburg an unknown boy, he soon became famous. Here he wrote sacred music and his first operas.
4. In his twenty-second year, George Handel went to Italy, where he stayed for three years. Here he met and became very friendly with Corelli This is Archangelo Corelli.

5. George Handel also met the two Scarlattis. These pictures show Alessandro and Domenico Scarlatti.


6. After his residence in Italy, George Handel went back to Germany, where he met the Elector of Hanover, who induced him to accept the post of Capellmeister. Handel agreed to do this on condition that he might first visit England.
7. When George Handel reached England, he found himself already well known there. The English people knew his operas, and liked them so much that Handel concluded to stay.
8. But to his surprise and confusion it happened while he was in London that the very Elector of Hanover became George I, King of England. George Handel expected he would fare badly with the king for not having returned as Capellmeister to Germany. But a friend arranged the matter so that Handel should compose some music for the king's coronation, hoping thereby to please his majesty.
9. George Handel composed twenty-five pieces, called Water Music. A boat containing the players followed that in which the king sat. When the music was performed the king invited Handel into the royal boat, where he again won the king's favor.

10. George Handel greatly wished to give opera in London and devote his time to it as composer. For many years the writing and staging of operas took all of Handel's time and thought, but he was not destined to make it a true success. Handel was a very fine performer at the keyboard.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Recite the Composition Information

• Recite the name of the composer and the composition.

Activity 2: Study the Music Timeline

Examine the music timeline to answer the following questions.

• What is the year of birth of the lesson composer?
• What is the year of death of the featured composer?
• How old was the composer upon death?
• Which composer (if any) directly precedes the studied composer by date of birth?
• Which composer (if any) directly succeeds the lesson composer by date of birth?
• Which other timeline composers were alive at the same time as the studied composer?

Activity 3: Map the Music

• During his lifetime, George Frideric Handel lived in Italy and England (the United Kingdom).
• Find Italy and the United Kingdom (UK) on the map of Europe.

Activity 4: Write a One-Page Paper About George Frideric Handel

Read these facts about George Frideric Handel and write a one-page story out of them, using your own words.

• He was born in Halle in Germany, February 23, 1685.
• His full name was George Frederick Handel.
• His father was a barber and surgeon, who intended his son to become a lawyer.
• As a little boy he practiced the harpsichord in the garret.
• Once he went with his father to the home of the Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels.
• Here he played the organ and won the Duke's attention.
• The Duke advised the father to let the boy study music.
• His first teacher was Zachau, who taught him many things, including organ and harpsichord playing.
• After a few years with Zachau he went to Berlin, and there met two famous men.
• Then he returned to Halle, but after his father's death he went to Hamburg.
• At Hamburg he and Johann Mattheson became good friends.
• He lived in Italy for three years.
• Returning to Germany he agreed to become Capellmeister to the Elector of Hanover.
• But he failed to keep his promise to the Elector by overstaying his leave of absence in London.
• The Elector became King of England. He was very angry at Handel for disobeying him.
• Handel won his friendship again by writing the Water Music for a royal boat procession on the river Thames.
• For many years Handel composed operas, but finally he won fame by writing oratorios.
• He wrote the Messiah and many others well known today.
• He became blind toward the end of his life.
• He died on Good Friday, 1759.

Review

Question 1

In what other countries did George Handel live?

1 / 4

Answer 1

In addition to Germany, where George Handel was born, he lived in Italy and England.

1 / 4

Question 2

What was 'Water Music?'

2 / 4

Answer 2

'Water Music' was a musical composition written by George Handel and first played for a 1717 concert on London's River Thames.

2 / 4

Question 3

Why did George Handel write 'Water Music?'

3 / 4

Answer 3

George Handel wrote 'Water Music' at the request of England's King George I.

3 / 4

Question 4

Was King George I pleased with 'Water Music?'

4 / 4

Answer 4

King George I loved 'Water Music' so much, he asked for three repeat performances

4 / 4

❮ ❯

1. In what other countries did George Handel live? In addition to Germany, where George Handel was born, he lived in Italy and England.
2. What was 'Water Music?' 'Water Music' was a musical composition written by George Handel and first played for a 1717 concert on London's River Thames.
3. Why did George Handel write 'Water Music?' George Handel wrote 'Water Music' at the request of England's King George I.
4. Was King George I pleased with 'Water Music?' King George I loved 'Water Music' so much, he asked for three repeat performances

References

Tapper, Thomas. Handel - The Story of a Little Boy Who Practiced in an Attic Philadelphia, PA. Theodore Presser Co., 1916.

'George Frideric Handel.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Water Music.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.