Both Mozart's and Beethoven's Favorite Composer

[Comme_le_Vent]

Well it wasn't Bach...

It was Handel.

Why do you think this is?

[virtuoso_735]

I didn't know that Handel was Mozart's favorite, but I am sure it was Beethoven's favorite, as he said Handel was the only composer he would bow down to, and he conceded Handel was even greater than himself. The reason that Bach isn't their favorite composers is because Bach was only rediscovered during Mendelssohn's time, and his genius was in oblivion during the classical period.

[Philip Daniel]

wasnt bach....

it was handel

why do you think this is?

Well, Handel's music is admirable in the way he produces great effects with limited means. During the height of the classical era in music, Handel's music was best represented by his oratorios and his opera Alcina. In his oratorios, with their grand choral segments, expressive recitatives and touching melodic airs, betray to the listener Handel's never-ending source of musical invention. He was not only a genius of melody, but a great contrapuntist, second only to Bach & Mozart. His skills in orchestral color remained unsurpassed, except by Gluck & Mozart, until Beethoven & Berlioz. His harmonious music reveals a demigod talent, worthy of inspiration. Handel is the most bequeathed and honored composer who ever lived.

[WinterWind_23]

I think Bach is more genius though. He wasn't popular during classical period, so Mozart and Beethoven couldn't have known about him. But Handel of course is great too. His music is very artistic. He was considered the greatest composer back then, so that might be why Beethoven and Mozart idiolized him.

[beethoven]

Beethoven adored Handel. He played and loved his music till the last day of his life. But alsohe respected others such as Clementi. He would tell his students to study his sonatas.

[Comme_le_Vent]

Beethoven regarded Cherubini as his greatest contemporary too...interesting.

Beethoven knew Bach's music very well, he played the complete WTC.

So he obviously knew enough of each, but still thought Handel was the greatest.

[beethoven]

beethoven regarded cherubini as his greatest contemporary too...interesting

beethoven knew bach's music very well, he played the complete WTC

so he obviously knew enough of each, but still thought handel was the greatest

Yes, he played complete WTC by the time he was 11.

[WinterWind_23]

beethoven regarded cherubini as his greatest contemporary too...interesting

beethoven knew bach's music very well, he played the complete WTC

so he obviously knew enough of each, but still thought handel was the greatest

Yes, he played complete WTC by the time he was 11.

WOW. Beethoven was sure a child prodigy.

Anyways, I guess Beethoven liked Handel's music more. His music was surely more influential in that time than Bach's. Handel is somewhat underrated these days. Even though he is a famous name, people only listen to his water music and overture to Royal Fire Works. And maybe a few obscure pieces, but that is about it, out of the opulence of works Handel wrote.

[Debussy]

I believe Mozart might have had a minor influence on Beethoven, as he was born just before Beethoven. I read in a book a few years ago that when Beethoven was playing in Vienna at a young age, Mozart was there listening to him and he said that Beethoven would give the world something to listen to.

[Comme_le_Vent]

He still called Bach the God of harmony, possibly Beethoven appreciated Handel for his melodies and rhythms?

[Philip Daniel]

he still called bach the god of harmony, possibly beethoven appreciated handel for his melodies and rhythms?

I think that is so; for although Handel was a great contrapuntist, his ability lies even more in melody, whereas Bach was a genius in all things, and a somewhat greater harmonist and contrapuntist than Handel.

[Comme_le_Vent]

But does this mean that Handel was a greater melodic genius?

[Philip Daniel]

but does this mean that handel was a greater melodic genius?

No; Bach's melodies are even more sophisticated and ingenious. Otherwise, his counterpoint would have suffered.

[Comme_le_Vent]

So could you possibly explain the insane reason Beethoven preffered Handel?

[Jeliness2]

I heard that although haydn was beethoven's teacher, they didn't like each other.