Bach vs. Händel

One never knows what to expect from destiny that whimsically rules our life. Take two renowned composers of the 18th century – Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel. Born in the same year and in the same country they lived diverse earthly and musical lives without ever meeting each other.

Handel as a secular person was fond of publicity, success and recognition while Bach was a devout man who created for the sake of creativity. Handel was a devoted traveller who sojourned in different countries while Bach due to certain circumstances never left his homeland. Each of them followed his own way in creative work: Bach preferred religious themes in his works which were permeated by glorification of God whilst Handel was inclined to compose secular music. Bach received acclamation from public as an organ player and performer in the first place and then as a composer, Handel, on the other hand, purely wrote music.

On the whole, these two unique musicians have one thing in common – they won fame and respect as the greatest composers of the Baroque Era.

Lascia Ch'io Pianga from Opera Rinaldo. Georg Friedrich Händel