jmc's classics
Handel (185-1758) is know mainly for his oratorio Messiah and the Halleluja Chorus. There are many other parts of that work that are just as great. For unto us a child is born, And he shall purify and The Glory of the Lord are some more excellent parts of this oratorio. Halleluja and For un to us a child is born are heard around Christmas. this was one of the first classical pieces that I remember. He also wrote the Royal Fireworks Music and the Water Music which are popular.
Handel was born the same year as J.S. Bach. He spent most of his career in England. He was employed by the Prince/ elector of Hanover (an ancestor of the current British Monarch) who would eventually become King George l id England. He studied in Italy and wrote Italian Operas which were in rage in England in the early 18th century. He wrote oratorios of which Messiah is one of them. an oratorio a piece of music for orchestra, chorus and soloists. They were popular in the Baroque era. One of his operas which is now popular is Acis and Galatea based on Greek Mythology. In the 18th and early centuries there was an revised interest in Classical Greek and Roman Culture. I have heard this piece recently. The chorus "Happy are we" seems funny! I have previously listed some funny classical pieces that are funny. Here is another one. I am not in to Greek and Roman Mythology. Many of the operas from that era are based on mythology. So are a lot of Wagner's operas which are based on German myths and legends. Check this piece out on YouTube.
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