(1685 - 1759)
Born in Halle in central Germany, George Frideric Handel was lured from his intended career in law by music, and had his first opera produced in Hamburg before he was 20. The following year he took himself to the fount of all things operatic, Italy, where a four year stay added a new sophistication and finish to his already notable abilities. Many of his most brilliant vocal works date from this time, including the choral psalm-setting Dixit Dominus, the opera Agrippina and the oratorio La resurrezione.Handel emerged from his Italian experience looking for a career in opera and after a brief period in Hanover was soon in London, scoring a significant success in 1711 with the spectacular Rinaldo. Over the next 30 years he was to compose around 40 Italian operas for the London stage, the climaxes of his achievement coming in 1724–5 with Giulio Cesare, Tamerlano and Rodelinda, and in 1735, the year of Ariodante and Alcina. At the same time he gained a sure foothold with the British establishment, cultivating wealthy patrons and winning prestigious royal commissions, including the four anthems which he composed for the coronation of George II in 1727. That year he also became a British citizen.
George Handel Composition Timpani and Percussion Requirements
Royal Fireworks Music
Timpani
Int'l 29/26 Prem 30/28
1 percussion
Snare drum
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Saul
Timpani + 2 percussion
Glockenspiel, 3 octave glockenspiel
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Water Music
Timpani
Int'l 29/26 Prem 30/28
1 percussion
Snare drum
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