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| Johann Georg Platzer’s painting captures the vibrant atmosphere of Baroque musical life, the cultural world in which Handel flourished. |
George Frideric Handel (1685–1759) was one of the leading composers of the Baroque era and a central figure in the musical life of 18th-century Europe. His career spanned several national traditions—German, Italian, and English—and his music is distinguished by dramatic vitality, grand choral writing, and a clear, architecturally balanced style.
Handel composed across a wide range of genres, including opera, oratorio, orchestral suites, concerti grossi, and chamber music. His works remain foundational to the Baroque repertoire. The following is a representative selection of his most significant compositions.
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Orchestral Works:
- Water Music, HWV 348–350
- Music for the Royal Fireworks in D Major, HWV 351
- Concerti Grossi, Op. 6 (HWV 319–330)
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Oratorios:
- Acis and Galatea, HWV 49
- Athalia, HWV 52
- Alexander’s Feast, HWV 75
- Saul, HWV 53
- Israel in Egypt, HWV 54
- Messiah, HWV 56
- Samson, HWV 57
- Semele, HWV 58
- Belshazzar, HWV 61
- Judas Maccabaeus, HWV 63
- Solomon, HWV 67
- Jephtha, HWV 70
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Concertos:
- Organ Concerto No. 13 in F Major, HWV 295, ("The Cuckoo and the Nightingale")
- Organ Concerto No. 14 in A Major
- Oboe Concerto No. 3 in G minor
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Chamber music:
- Two oboe sonatas
- Twelve flute sonatas
- Six Concerti Grossi for strings, woodwinds and continuo, Opus 3
- Six organ sonatas, Opus 4
- Seven Trio Sonatas, Opus 5
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Operas:
- Almira (1705)
- Rodrigo (1707)
- Rinaldo (1711)
- Giulio Cesare in Egitto (Ιούλιος Καίσαρ) (1724)
- Rodelinda (1725)
- Orlando (1733)
- Ariodante (1735)
- Alcina (1735)
- Serse (Ξέρξης) (1738)
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🔎 Work Analyses of George Frideric Handel on MusiLLection
You can explore detailed analyses of selected works below: