Bach and Handel Comparison

Johann Sebastian Bach and Handel have shared quite some of the same lifestyle traits while growing up. Though they are different and have come from different backgrounds, they both share the same passion, Music. Bach and Handel both grew up around the Germany, Bach grew up in Thuringia and Handel a little town called Halle. Johann Sebastian, you could say was inspired by is great-great-grandfather, Veit Bach. Handel's mother was more of an inspiration because she had always pushed a Clavichord keyboard to him.

Bach and Handel both worked at churches, directed the choirs, and had their own orchestra. When directing the church choirs the Handel and Bach both tend to get physical with one of the members. This means that not only did Bach have a temper, Handel also had one too. Handel and Bach participated in different contest and won them. They both wanted to go and visit the organist Dietrich Buxtehude who was in Lübeck. Bach was offered the job to take Buxtehude place as well as Handel but neither one of them wanted to marry Buxtehude's daughter. Bach tried to get and organist job in Hamburg but didn't because he didn't want to give a donation. Handel on the other hand, had his first two operas produced.

Bach composed 300 cantatas during his spear time of disciplining the small boys. Handel composed 100 cantatas along with church music. Bach enjoyed the style of wearing coats and Handel did too. Bach owned three coats and to my understanding the silk one seemed to be his favorite Handel liked wearing the coats with the extra-large buttons all over. So they actually shared some of the same styles along with having music as a hobby. Later down the line of their career they both began to lose sight and their bodies began to change. Bach's health was declining and Handel put on a few extra pounds. Handel and Bach went under surgery with John Taylor and it only got worse from then on. He ruined the eyes of two of the famous but, greatest composers in the time period.

So comparing the 18th century to the 21st century I would say that things are a whole lot different. In the 18th century people talked, ate, played cards and other various activities while the opera show was going on. Today, in the 21st century people actually go to the different opera houses and enjoy the performances and themselves. Handel's piece Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus is in the mode of major. Bach's piece Zion Hears the Watchmen is in the mode of minor.

This article was interesting to me but isn't something I would read on a day to day basis. I thin k that the article could have had more interesting points about the two composers seeing how as they both did compose great songs. I learned some new things about the both of the composers that I didn't know before I read this. Some of the pieces in this article, I have heard of. I can actually say I learned something!