Handel Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

Hallelujah Chorus from “Messiah”Georg Friedrich Händel71rank/position

Handel, Messiah – Hallelujah

This piece was composed as an oratorio—a musical drama that tells a story through music alone—belonging to a genre Handel had newly turned his attention to.

“Messiah” comes from the English rendering of “the Savior,” and “Hallelujah” is a word of Hebrew origin meaning praise.

Although it is a sacred work that sings of the life of Jesus Christ, many people in Japan may listen to it without knowing much about its content, partly due to the language difference.

That said, the “Hallelujah Chorus” has a catchy melody that everyone knows—and can sing.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Water Music, Suite No. 1 – AndanteGeorg Friedrich Händel72rank/position

George Frideric Handel – Water Music Suite No. 1 in F Major: Andante – London Symphony Orchestra

Handel was a German musician.

The suite Water Music was premiered in 1717 during a royal boating party on the River Thames.

In the Andante of the First Suite, to the slow accompaniment of harpsichord and strings, two oboes perform a calm, elegant, solemn, and wistful melody.

“Lascia ch’io pianga” from the opera RinaldoGeorg Friedrich Händel73rank/position

007 Handel from the opera Rinaldo: Let me weep (Lascia ch’io pianga)

An aria sung in the opera Rinaldo, it expresses the heroine’s sorrow in captivity and her longing for freedom.

The melody is simple yet laden with deep emotion, characterized by a gentle triple meter and a memorable, recurring melodic line.

Premiered in February 1711, this piece is part of Handel’s first Italian opera presented in England and served as a catalyst in establishing his international fame.

It is a recommended piece for those interested in the world of opera or wishing to experience the beauty of Baroque music.

SarabandeGeorg Friedrich Händel74rank/position

Sarabande de Haendel Piano – F. Bernachon plays Handel’s Sarabande, piano

This piece is by Handel, who was born in 1685, the same year as Bach.

He was born in Germany, later found success in Italy, and went on to be active in England.

It was written before the invention of the piano; although it is often performed on the piano today, it was composed as a harpsichord work.

While not particularly demanding technically, it has a striking directness that strips away the unnecessary and appeals straight to the emotions.

It might be interesting to compare it with a performance on the harpsichord.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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HallelujahGeorg Friedrich Händel75rank/position

Hallelujah Chorus (composed by Handel) — 2013 Choir Competition Gold Prize

Using a hymn for a chorus competition is fresh and great, isn’t it? Since it’s a well-known piece, it should go over well.

If you want to sing it joyfully like gospel, commit fully to that approach; if you want to emphasize cohesion as a choir, you’ll need appropriate arranging and practice in the choral singing style.