" (Hogwood 7) if there is one term that can describe my work it must be "secular," religion was not the source of my art. Bach: Well, religion is a major theme in my work. It could be because I did not travel as extensively as Mr. Handel and was not exposed to the different types of music, or it could be because I was a truly religious person at heart, but I used my art to celebrate my Christianity. Some say that I anchored my themes in the past, while Handel focused on the future. And while Handel composed for the public, theaters and operas, I composed my work primarily for the Church as a manifestation of spirituality and my devotion to God.

Question 3: What do you think you should be remembered for?

Handel: It would not be correct to say that religion had absolutely no influence on me or my works, but I did not allow it to limit or restrict my compositions. I am considered to be a truly cosmopolitan composer, with influences coming from all over Europe. Unlike others, I broke away from strictly religious works and revolutionized both music for the theater and opera.

Bach: I would like to be remembered as a traditionalist who revolutionized music through an obsession with the past. As I was born in a time when religion was the main source of inspiration,...

Unlike my contemporary, I composed mainly instrumentals and stayed away from the more public-based venues like theater and opera.
Two composers, both born in 1685 and who completely transformed the world of classical music were Frederik Handel and Johan Sebastian Bach. Both of these composers were revolutionaries in their fields, but revolutionized music in very different ways. Handel took music from the realm of religion and expanded it to include more public-oriented events like theater and opera; and in doing so brought these forms of artistic expression into a new era. On the other hand was Bach, who was obsessed with the religious past but also introduced innovations which also revolutionized the world. He may have limited himself to religious inspired music, but through instrumental advances, also brought this form of art into a new era.

References

Geck, Martin. Johann Sebastian Bach: Life and Work. New York: Harcourt, 2006. Print.

Hogwood, Christopher. Handel. Bath: Pittman Press, 1984. Print.

Nichols, Jeremy. The Great Composers. London: Quercus, 2008. Print.