The Artist Formerly Known as Händel

by Paul A. Schons

Originally published by the Germanic American Institute in February, 2002

I can recall wondering at one point what the proper spelling of the composer’s name is: Georg Friedrich Händel, as one often sees it or George Frideric Handel, as one sees it even more often. I wondered also, if he were a German composer or a British composer. Well, the answer is, all of the above.

The composer of the world famous, The Messiah, Water Music, Music for the Royal Fireworks and a great number of operas and oratorios was born in Halle, Germany on February 23, 1685 (the same year in which Johann Sebastian Bach was born). His father was a barber/surgeon (a common career combination in those days) who was determined that his son would study law. Much against his father’s wishes the young man concentrated on music. He took music lessons from the principal organist in Halle, Friedrich Zachow. At age 17 he was appointed organist at the Calvinist Cathedral in Halle. In 1702 he did matriculate at the University of Halle to study law according to his father’s wishes, but in 1703 left Halle to take a position as a violinist and harpsichordist at the opera in Hamburg.

Händel left Hamburg in 1706 to travel to and learn the music of Italy. It was during his life there in Rome, Florence, and Venice through the next four years that he learned and mastered the popular form of the Italian opera. He returned to Germany and became the Hofkapellmeister (chief court musician) at the court of Georg, the Elector of Hannover. During his tenure in Hannover he was granted leaves to work in London, where he developed a sizable following as a composer and a performing musician. Queen Anne of England grated him an annual stipend of 200 pounds, wishing to keep him in England. But his patroness died in 1714.

Queen Anne’s death caused a major problem for the English. Lacking a direct heir to the throne of England and facing the prospects of placing a Catholic on the throne if the normal lines of succession were followed within England, the nobles turned to a Protestant of the royal line living outside of England--Georg of Hannover, who, although he knew no English and knew essentially nothing about English politics and tradition was brought to the English throne as King George I. George was pleased at the prospect of having his old Hofkapellmeister from Hannover and fellow German, Händel, in his service once again and the king continued Händel’s employment in London.

Following his king’s pattern of becoming an Englishman, Georg Friedrich Händel changed his name to George Frideric Handel and became a naturalized citizen. His English was atrocious but was at least much better than the king’s who learned no English at all. For the remainder of his life Handel remained in England, although he made frequent trips to Germany to visit family and to recruit musicians to perform the music he composed.

Handel was a witty man, but his ability to use wit was often constrained by his lack of fluency in English. A sample of the quality of his English was cited in a publication from 1832. Handel came across the word “billow” in a text and did not know its meaning. He asked an associate, “Vat de diffil means de vord billow?” (What the devil does the word billow mean?)

Handel was, like many geniuses, a bit high strung. On one occasion he had a major disagreement with an English singer, who in his anger threatened to jump on and smash Handel’s harpsichord. Handel replied, “Oh, let me know when you will do that, and I will advertise it. I am sure more people will come to see you jump, than to hear you sing.”

George Fridreic Handel was a prolific composer. His many operas, which were very popular in his day, have become rather eclipsed by time, but his instrumental compositions and oratorios remain fully vital in our own 21st century. Little other music remains as popular and intense as his Messiah. His Water Music, originally composed to entertain King Georg on a boat trip on the Thames, remains a universal favorite. In general the music of Handel is a living part of our modern repertoire.

Händel remained very active as a composer and performer into old age. Beginning at age 52 he began to suffer nerve damage and to suffer from rheumatism. In his 60’s he suffered from time to time with gout. His greatest problem though was with his eyes. He seems to have developed cataracts. Surgeons of that day could remove cataracts, but not with the degree of success possible today. He underwent surgery 3 times. By 1752 he was completely blind. Nevertheless he continued to work as best he could. After a performance of the Messiah on April 6, 1759 he suffered a stroke. He died on April 14, at age 74. He was buried in state in Westminster Abbey.