Listening to both I can hear the similarities. I'm not the musical historian Rimbaud is but I would suspect that Handel was very familiar with Bach and might've been influenced by him. I don't mind chamber music and like The Four Seasons. As I said I don't dislike the Water Music its just not one of my favorites I don't have any particular reason.
The Baroque period (1600 - 1750) of classical music saw the highlight of Handel, Pachelbel, J.S. Bach, who had some magnificent pieces. But, as you pointed out, these pieces were frequently very mechanical and mathematical. Then, the Classical period (1750 - 1820) came around with work from Mozart and Beethoven. I think their works have reached legendary status because, in addition to the complexities, mathematics, and rhythms of the Baroque period, the artists of this period developed outstanding melodies that also contained colorful fluctuations to the musical tone and rhythm. It wasn't so mechanical that it was Baroque, and it wasn't so fluctuating that it was abstract. And that combination of structure with feel is what (in my opinion) people from all over the world have found to appealing for so many generations.
If it makes you feel any better, I envy your musical ability. I feel as if I am stunted because I cannot play an instrument. My sister got lessons, I did not. She abandoned music, of course. As an adult I have found it very hard to pick up the piano or guitar. Something in my brain doesn't fully click. Perhaps it is my own mental blocks because I am ridiculous and want to do everything well immediately or perhaps I just have not been in the right environment with a real teacher. Nontheless, I have a deep love and understanding for music but I feel incomplete because I am not as technically knowledgable and do not have the proper hand skills. My wife can play multiple instruments and has an amazing understanding of the math of music. She doesn't feel it though and her musical memory and ear is nothing compared to mine. It is really odd. Cohen - that is great that you will pass on the love for music. Even if they rebel eventually (even I did for a few years around age 12 or so) they will have that foundation and always be able to go back to it. Unfortunately too many children are not raised with an appreciation and it really is so much more than music. It stimulates the brain in ways that little else can. As I said, my wife is musical so we will certainly pass it on. Fortunately we will have enough money to be able to take them to performances as well and to have a piano. Since you seem to like Baroque so much, how familiar are you with Telemann's work? During his life he was thought to be the greatest composer in Germany but history has been kinder to Back and seen Telemann as more superficial - he was great in so many styles but never made his own sound within one. His Alster-Overture is something to behold, though. I have always favored the 19th century, though, with Mahler being at the top (funny how I can have a definite favorite in music but none in art...I guess because I know so much more about the latter). Crazy neurotic but "the symphony is a world".
They were the same age and Handel was a much bigger deal at the time. As I said, Telemann was considered the best in Germany (Handel's music was considered to be more British) and Bach was often overlooked for good positions. One he only got because Telemann turned it down. So I am not really sure what Handel would have taken from Bach. Bach was really average and Handel was an international celebrity. It has only been history that has promoted Bach to "best before Mozart" or even best.
As I said I'm not the musical historian you are so I was under the impression that Handel came later than Bach, which speaking of I am listening to at the very moment and inspired my 80's rant. As a musician I can tell you that alchohal helps.
Well, I knew Handel was bigger and more influential but I thought Bach was a few years older so I had to look that part up. Both were born in 1685.
