300th Birth Anniversaries of Händel and Bach
Technical Data
| Stamp Set | Birth Centenary |
|---|---|
| Date of Issue | December 27, 1985 |
| Denomination | Rs. 5 |
| Quantity | 1,500,000 |
| Perforation | comb 13 x 13½ |
| Printer | Security Printing Press, Nashik |
| Watermark | No Watermark |
| Colors | Multicolor |
| Catalog Codes |
Michel IN 1044 Stamp Number IN 1110 Yvert et Tellier IN 859 Stanley Gibbons IN 1176 |
| Themes | Anniversaries and Jubilees | Composers | Famous people | Men | Music | Musicians |
George Frideric Handel and Johann Sebastian Bach were two of the greatest composers of the Baroque era, each leaving an indelible mark on Western classical music:
George Frideric Handel:
- Birth and Background: Handel was born in 1685 in Halle, Germany, to a family that initially disapproved of his musical pursuits. Despite this, he showed early talent and persistence in pursuing music, eventually convincing his father to allow him to continue.
- Career Development: He established himself as a composer of operas and visited England where he found great success. In 1726, he became a naturalized Englishman and spent the rest of his life there. Some of his most famous works, including the oratorio Messiah, were composed in England.
- Musical Style: Handel’s style epitomizes the Italian Baroque style of the 18th century, known for its grandeur, drama, and emotional depth. He had a profound influence on subsequent composers, including Beethoven.
Johann Sebastian Bach:
- Birth and Background: Bach was born in 1685 in Eisenach, Germany, into a family of musicians. His early musical education came from his family, and he excelled as an organist and composer from a young age.
- Career and Influence: Bach held various musical posts throughout his life, demonstrating exceptional skill as an organist and composer. His compositions spanned sacred and secular music, setting high standards for polyphony and counterpoint.
- Musical Legacy: Bach’s influence on music history is immense, shaping the development of Western classical music profoundly. His works were admired by later composers such as Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms for their complexity, structural perfection, and spiritual depth.
- Legacy and Recognition: Bach’s contributions were not just in creating new forms or reforming old ones but in epitomizing polyphonic music to its greatest glory. He is often regarded as a universal force in music, whose compositions continue to be celebrated for their enduring beauty and technical brilliance.
Both Handel and Bach, though distinct in their styles and backgrounds, contributed significantly to the richness and diversity of Baroque music, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and influence musicians and audiences alike to this day.