Handel, Who Knew What He Liked by M.T. Anderson

 This Candlewick Biographies series is for middle grade.

George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) was born in Germany and from childhood knew that he wanted to study music. His father told him to pick a profession that would support him. Little Handel was quite a character from childhood. He smuggled a clavichord (early version of piano) into the attic and taught himself how to play it at night.

A duke upon hearing Handel playing organs in the chapel convinced his father to let him study music. The compromise was that he’d also study law which was father’s wish.

In Italy, he fell in love with Italian opera. Thus, began composing Italian operas. After a few years in Italy, he returned to England where he continued composing Italian operas. The problem was the English didn’t like opera. He set to prove it was something loveable. And he won them over. But with one show ending in firing, his fortunes turned and spiraled down.

He went from writing operas to oratiorios for which he became famous.

This biography shows the character of Handel through different examples. He went after what he wanted even if he was told no or was against the odds.

The colorful illustrations are stunning and the story is engaging. 

I’ve noticed that it depends on a series. For the age group 8-12, this series is much shorter than the others I’ve read. Everything is very brief. It certainly gives the story a fast pace. I believe this series might be targeting the young readers who struggle with concentrating on something more developed.

Published in 2004 by Candlewick

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Learn a Skill on Your Own

Traits:

·         He was told to pick a profession that would support him but music

·         He went after what he wanted even if he was told no

·         He smuggled a musical instrument to the attic as a child and taught himself how to play at night

·         He composed what he loved despite people not liking it initially, but eventually he won them over. (Similarly Antonio Gaudi’s architecture became popular after his death, but not during his lifetime).

·         When disaster stroke, it didn’t defeat him, he found something else that he enjoyed to compose and became most famous for it

"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." - George Bernard Shaw