Why didn't handel write any symphonies?

Answer 1

Truth is, they aren't. Mozart composed for the money, albeit reluctantly. He did want his music to be available to the general public, and as such he composed on a level that, while pleasing to the ear, was within the confines of what the general public wanted to hear. Mozart composed to be the talk of the town. Mozart's symphonies, while fine pieces of music for the time, lack the complexity of later composers. He was limited by the instrumentation of the day and societal acceptance.

Beethoven's music, on the other hand, challenged the accepted norms of the day. He composed with little regard for the preferences of his contemporaries, or his benefactors. In some cases, he composed passages with the intent of making people uneasy. While he had his admirers, he had many more detractors. This seemed to suit him just fine. Keep in mind that by the time Beethoven was doing most of his work, the piano was a much more refined instrument than Mozart's time. It wasn't until after his death that Beethoven's music became much more appreciated.

Answer 2

In much the same way as writing a book, or a computer program is a creative endevour, so with writing music. There is an individual limit to how much each person can create.

Beethoven wrote 9 symphonies, while Mozart and Hayden wrote many many more... however, they were working in different musical periods, different countries and under different kinds of pressures and endorsements.

At the time of the classical period, works were often commissioned, and hence composers would be writing what they were paid to write, in much the same way as film score or TV music writers would today.

It is also worth remembering in the case of Beethoven that after the 4th symphony was written he basically completely deaf. Well all that is true, but Beethoven wrote fewer symphonies because he wasn't forced to write for anybody and only for himself. You see, Haydn Had to write symphonies for eSTERHAZYS!! and wheneverthat family wanted a symphony, Haydn composed it. Beethoveb only wrot for himself and did what he wanted todo. But Beethoven's symphonies are LOOONG 74 minutes is the longest.

Answer 3

He lived before they were invented. He wrote what he would have considered a symphony, that is, the instrumental introduction to an oratorio or Opera. The first true modern symphonies with four or more movements did not appear until c.1765 six years after Handel died. The first important works of this kind were written by Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) and the English composer William Boyce (1711-79).

Answer 4

He wrote a lot of symphonies because he was inspired by the world around him. He felt like he wanted to say so much but without actually saying it in words.

Answer 5

Haydn lived until he was 77, Mozart only lived until he was 35. If he had lived to Haydn's age, it was likely that he would have written more symphonies the Haydn.

Answer 6

Those things aren't easy to write. Failing health and lack of funds restricted his output to nine. He received a commission to finish the ninth one, and died less than three years later.