George Frederick Handel (1685–1759) was a composer born in Germany who moved to Britain and became a British citizen in 1727. The royal music he wrote for George I and George II drew big crowds from the start. One summer evening in 1717, George I sailed along the Thames on the royal barge while about 50 musicians on another boat played Water Music; the story goes that the king liked it so much he had it played at least three times. When the Royal Fireworks music had its public rehearsal in 1749, more than ten thousand people are said to have turned up, and carriages were stuck on London Bridge for three hours.
Quiz
Which TWO pieces of music were written by George Frederick Handel?
Handel wrote Water Music for George I and Music for the Royal Fireworks for George II. The Planets is by Holst, and the Pomp and Circumstance Marches are by Elgar. A memory aid: both of Handel's pieces were made for a king, one on the water and one with fireworks.
