George Frederick Handel 1685-1759

The German-British musician is regarded by many to be the greatest composer of all time. his many works include The Messiah,  The Water Music, The Royal Fireworks and Zadoc the Priest.

http://youtu.be/76RrdwElnTU
Although of German birth,Handel spent most of his life in England,becoming naturalised.The Messiah was produced in Dublin in 1742,and was immediately recognised as one of the worlds greatest masterpieces of music.Handel was commissioned to write an anthem for the coronation of George 11, and since then Zadoc the Priest has been played at every British coronation since.

http://youtu.be/EXjY6w1KQMo

http://youtu.be/jI0YOPoj4t0

However,fortune did not always smile on Handel,but he survived to restore his reputation.He was never married and kept his personal life private.

http://youtu.be/7U8YVsW9I8U


In 1759,Handel died and was buried in Westminster Abbey, still held in high esteem by his fellow composers,Bach, Mozart and Beethoven.

"The music catches breath, and disturbs memory"

Alexander Borodin composer and chemist 1833-1887

Perhaps better known as a composer, Borodin was in fact one of 19th century Russia's top people in the science of elements and compounds. Born and died in Saint Petersberg, Borodin became a member of "The Five" all composers whose aim was producing original rather than imitative music. In his teens Borodin could speak four languages and could play three instruments.

Borodin's music is full of romantic and enticing melody much of it also rings with the pageantry and landscape of onion-domed churches,richly decorated icons and the vastness of the land. Although Borodin wrote many works, he was most noted for his opera "Prince Igor".

http://youtu.be/t8C8frqCKKg

The opera takes place in twelfth-century Russia. Prince Igor heads a campaign against the Polovtsi a war-like tribe of central Russia who are causing raiding problems. However,he is defeated and taken prisoner. The head of Polovtsi,surprisingly,treats Igor as an honoured guest and entertains him on a lavish scale with feasting and dancing in the Polovtsian manner.