Johann Sebastian Bach and George Friderick Handel were two of the most
             important composers of the Baroque Period. Compare and contrast their lives and
             sacred musical works studied in class.
             Johann Sebastian Bach and George Friderick Handel are two of the most
             important composers of the Baroque period. Born only one month apart both in
             Germany. Handel lived nine more years than Bach. Coming from the same period
             the two composers have many qualities that are alike and some unlike. These
             qualities include the time frames of their childhood, adult hood and later years as well
             as a comparison between two sacred musical pieces.
             Bach and Handel, though both born in Germany only one month apart, they
             came from different family lifestyles. George Handel did not come from a musical
             family, his father wanted him to study law. By age 9, his talent was too obvious and
             began to study with a local organist and composer. Whereas Johann Bach came
             from a long line of musicians. Four of his own sons became composers. Bach also
             started as an organist and composer, but as a church organist.
             At the age of 18 Handel went to Hamburg and became a violinist and a
             harpsichordist in the orchestra. In the meantime Bach was a court conductor for the
             Prince of Cothen, it was his first position that was not involved in the church or organ
             music. Bach later became a director of must at St. Thomas church where he stayed
             for the next 27 years. At the age of 21 Handel was successfully producing operas.
             He later went to Italy where he associated with famous musicians and princes.
             Handel became knows as England's most important composer. Bach was not
             considered the greatest composer of his day, but he was recognized as the greatest
             organist and harpsichordist. Handel wrote suites, organ concertos, concerti grossi but
             mostly oratorios and Italian operas. Bach wrote all forms of Baroque music, all exc...