[Handel's Piano Pieces] A selection of famous works by the Baroque master

PassacagliaHändel=Halvorsen

Passacaglia – Handel = Halvorsen = Painistos (Piano) / Passacaglia – Handel = Halvorsen = Painistos

Passacaglia, arranged by Norwegian composer Johan Halvorsen from the works of the great musician George Frideric Handel—revered as the “mother of music”—captivates many listeners.

The original, distinguished by the Baroque era’s rich harmonies and ornate embellishments, has been reimagined in an approachable, romantic style.

Halvorsen’s version also features an expanded scale and virtuosic passages beyond the original, offering performers ample opportunity to showcase their exceptional technique.

This Baroque masterpiece is beloved by a wide audience, from classical music beginners to seasoned listeners—please experience it for yourself.

Ombra mai fu (Largo)Georg Friedrich Händel

Largo — Ombra mai fu (Handel) Händel – Largo - Ombra mai fu – pianomaedaful

The aria Ombra mai fu, sung in the opera Serse composed by Baroque master Handel, is distinguished by its beautiful melodic line and delicate orchestration.

It is performed in the scene where King Xerxes addresses a plane tree he loves.

Handel’s masterful music richly conveys Xerxes’s feelings as he praises the tree’s gentle, lovely leaves and wishes to protect it from all danger, offering a slow, soothing balm to the listener’s heart.

Its expansive, dignified melody is a quintessential example of Handel—truly worthy of calling him the mother of music.

It’s also a highly recommended piece for those new to classical music.

Make me cry.Georg Friedrich Händel

[Healing Piano] Let Me Weep — Handel — Piano Solo with Lyrics / Classical Music / Handel

The aria “Lascia ch’io pianga,” a work by the great German Baroque composer George Frideric Handel, is exceedingly famous.

It is a gem included in the opera Rinaldo.

Sung in the scene where the captive heroine Almirena longs for freedom and weeps in sorrow, its heartrendingly beautiful melody pairs wonderfully with the delicate timbre of the piano.

Performed at a recital or concert, it is sure to resonate deeply in the hearts of everyone—performers and audience alike.

Harpsichord Suite, Set II, No. 1 in B-flat major, HWV 434: No. 4 “Minuet”Händel=Kempff

Händel-Kempff Menuett in G minor HWV434

Georg Friedrich Handel, a German composer who epitomizes the Baroque era, is known for his works across a wide range of genres, including opera, oratorio, and instrumental music.

The Minuet, the fourth piece from his Second Suite for Harpsichord composed around 1720, has become widely beloved in the piano arrangement left by the German pianist Wilhelm Kempff.

While the original features a simple structure and an expressive triple-meter rhythmic pattern, Kempff’s fresh interpretation adds new nuance, making this piece a recommended listen for anyone wishing to experience Handel’s music anew.

Harpsichord Suite Book I No. 5 in E major, HWV 430, No. 4: “Air and Variations (The Harmonious Blacksmith)”Georg Friedrich Händel

Handel: The Harmonious Blacksmith, pianist Yuki Kondo / Händel: The Harmonious Blacksmith, Yuki Kondo

George Frideric Handel, the Baroque master known as the “mother of music.” After establishing himself in Hamburg and Italy, Handel moved his base to London, where he wrote a set of suites for the harpsichord—the keyboard instrument of the time—known as the Suites de Pièces pour le Clavecin, First Collection.

Among them, the especially famous “The Harmonious Blacksmith” is beloved for its bright, cheerful, and lively character.

A simplified version with fewer notes is included in many beginner piano texts, making it a familiar piece at student recitals.

With its friendly melody that invites a relaxed and pleasant listening experience, this work is highly recommended for those looking to start the piano, as well as for parents who want their children to discover the joy of playing.

Oratorio “Messiah” Part II, No. 23 “Hallelujah”Georg Friedrich Händel

Hallelujah chorus by G. F HANDEL from Messiah. Piano Accompanyment

Hallelujah,” one of the most beloved pieces from the masterful oratorio Messiah by Georg Friedrich Handel, a genius composer of the Baroque era.

This majestic chorus crowns the final part of the grand narrative depicting Christ’s birth, Passion, and Resurrection.

Its powerful lyrics, drawn from Scripture, praise God’s omnipotence and eternal reign, expressing worship and reverence.

Stirring the soul through its weighty chorus and brilliant orchestration, this work also allows one to experience its sublime music fully at the piano.

Oratorio “Judas Maccabaeus” HWV 63, Part III, No. 58 “See, the Conqu’ring Hero Comes”Georg Friedrich Händel

[Award Ceremony Music] Handel: See, the Conquering Hero Comes — Pianist: Yuki Kondo / Handel: See, the Conquering Hero Comes! Piano, Yuki Kondo

Georg Friedrich Handel, a master of the Baroque era, left behind a wide range of works, including pieces for the harpsichord—the keyboard instrument of his time—as well as oratorios and songs.

Among them, See, the Conqu’ring Hero Comes from Part III of the oratorio Judas Maccabaeus is a moving piece that depicts a hero’s triumphant return.

With the addition of the choral parts, the emotions of liberation and jubilation among the Jewish people swell even further, stirring the hearts of listeners.

Beloved in many contexts, this masterpiece is one you will surely enjoy performing on the piano as well.