The Most Influential Baroque Composers on Classical Music

The question of which Baroque composer had the most significant influence on the development of classical music is often debated among music historians and enthusiasts. While opinions may vary, two prominent figures stand out: George Frideric Handel and Johann Sebastian Bach. This discussion delves into the life, work, and influence of these two titans of Baroque music, exploring why they are considered so influential on the future of classical music.

George Frideric Handel: The Turquoise Tycoon of Early Baroque

George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) was the most popular composer of his era and is often cited as the most influential Baroque composer on the development of classical music. Handel's work was widely admired during his lifetime and has since continued to hold a central place in the repertoire of many orchestras and concert halls worldwide.

Handel's music is characterized by its accessibility and workmanlike quality, appealing to a broad audience. His operas, such as Alcina and Rinaldo, and oratorios, including Joshua and Messiah, remain popular beyond the bounds of Baroque. The success of his oratorio Messiah in particular helped establish the genre of oratorio in the classical era.

Johann Sebastian Bach: The Architect of Baroque Mastery

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), who shared a birth year with Handel, is often considered one of the greatest and most influential composers of all time. Despite his immense impact, his popularity only truly began to rise in the 19th century, over a century after his death.

Bach’s influence on later composers is immeasurable. Legends such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven cited Bach as a direct influence. Mozart’s admiration for Bach is most evident in his Mass in B Minor, which he attempted to complete in the composer’s style. Beethoven, too, is known to have studied Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier carefully, and it is often referenced when discussing his own innovations in counterpoint and fugue.

Bridging the Gap: Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach

While not technically a Baroque composer by the strict definition, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714-1788) bridges the gap between the Baroque and Classical periods. He was a son of Johann Sebastian Bach and a contemporary of Franz Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. C.P.E. Bach's approach to music included elements of the Baroque, such as elaborate ornamentation and contrapuntal technique, while incorporating more contrapuntal and harmonic complexity, setting the stage for the Classical period.

Operatic Influence: Monteverdi and Handel

The influence of Baroque music on classical music extends beyond instrumental and vocal works. Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643), while not strictly a Baroque composer and dying just before the considered start of the Baroque era, played a pivotal role in the development of operatic forms. His opera L'Orfeo (1607) was one of the first operas and set a precedent for the development of opera that lasted for over a century. Monteverdi's innovative use of the human voice and his exploration of opera as a form of theatrical expression laid the groundwork for later baroque and classical opera composers.

Conclusion: A Lexicon of Legacy

The legacy of Baroque composers like Handel and Bach, and the influence they exerted on subsequent composers, is a testament to the power of their compositions. While no single composer can be definitively deemed the most influential, the contributions of these musicians to the development of classical music are without question. Handel and Bach, together with figures like Monteverdi and C.P.E. Bach, have shaped the very essence of Western classical music, leaving an indelible mark on the genre that continues to resonate today.