Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
Henry Purcell was an important English composer. He spent his entire career as a musician in English royal court. He was the singer in the Royal Chapel when he was a boy. He was the assistant of the king’s instruments. Ten years later, 1677, he was appointed as the king’s composer, then in 1682 he was the organist in the Royal Chapel.

Purcell was best known for his dramatic works and instrumental music. His best opera was the DIDO AND AENEAS and his most famous choral work was ODE TO ST. CELCIA.

Famous Works-Dramatic music, including Dido and Aeneas (1689) and The Fairy Queen (1692), incidental music for plays Sacred vocal music, including a Magnificat, Te Deum and anthems Secular vocal music, including court odes Instrumental music, including fantasias, sonatas, marches, overtures, and harpsichord suites and dances.

George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
George Handel was an English composer, but born in Germany, when he pasted he was an English citizen. At an early age Handel had a talent for music. He studied music with a local organist and composer. When he reached the age of seventeen, Handel went to Hamburg, where he played the violin in an opera orchestra. After that he was composed his first opera the ALMIRA. He spent a couple years in Italy where his works were very popular and returned to Germany to take post of a music director.

In 1217 he was asked to leave and go to England, once he left he never returned. While he was in England he wrote operas in Italian style, which the style was challenged by rival opera companies then the development of new and lighter styles of ballad opera. The Italian style was beginning to fade away and turn to a new genre, so did Handel’s career, but he continued to conduct and perform. His last performance was MESSIAH, where he collapsed and three days later he died.

Famous Works-Over 40 operas, including Almira (1705), Rinaldo (1711), Giulio Cesare (Julius Caesar, 1724) and Orlando (1733)

Oratorios, including Esther (1718), Alexander's Feast (1736), Israel in Egypt (1739), Messiah (1742), Sampson (1743), Belshazzar (1745), Judas Maccabaeus (1747), Solomon (1749) and Jephtha (1752); other sacred vocal music, including Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne (c.1713), Acis and Galatea (masque, 1718), Ode for St. Cecilia's Day (1739), Utrech Te Deum (1713), anthems and Latin church music.

Secular vocal music, including solo and duo cantatas; arias

Orchestral music, including Water Music (1717) and Music for the Royal Fireworks (1749); concertos for oboe, organ, horn.

Chamber music, including solo and trio sonatas

Keyboard music, including harpsichord suites, fugues, preludes, airs and dances

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Johann was a German composer and organist. When he was a child, he learned to play the organ, clavichord, and sang in the choir. At the age fifteen he held several organist positions in nearby towns. HE was the master of composing cantatas, oratorios, chorales, and, piano inventions. He had his own unique style and often rearranged pieces for different instruments. Bach was introduced with the piano when he was sixty. When he discovered the piano he went write on working on a six part fugue for King Frederick as a musical “offering” and now is considered as the most remarkable fugues in history. Later on in his life, Bach was stricken with blindness and went to correct his vision, but unfortunately it was unsuccessful. He suffered a paralytic attack and died.

Works- Over 40 operas, including Almira (1705), Rinaldo (1711), Giulio Cesare (Julius Caesar, 1724) and Orlando (1733)

Oratorios, including Esther (1718), Alexander's Feast (1736), Israel in Egypt (1739), Messiah (1742), Sampson (1743), Belshazzar (1745), Judas Maccabaeus (1747), Solomon (1749) and Jephtha (1752); other sacred vocal music, including Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne (c.1713), Acis and Galatea (masque, 1718), Ode for St. Cecilia's Day (1739), Utrech Te Deum (1713), anthems and Latin church music.

Secular vocal music, including solo and duo cantatas; arias

Orchestral music, including Water Music (1717) and Music for the Royal Fireworks (1749); concertos for oboe, organ, horn.

Chamber music, including solo and trio sonatas

Keyboard music, including harpsichord suites, fugues, preludes, airs and dances