Finding Handel sheet music to play, particularly as an instrumental soloist, can be slightly more difficult than finding music by some other classical composers. The primary reason for this is a relative lack of music written by Handel for solo instruments. Compounded by his being somewhat overshadowed by Bach within a broadly designated niche, this has often resulted in very few individuals outside of orchestras and choruses requesting Handel sheet music.

In the court of public opinion. Handel suffers from being the next-most-famous contemporary of Bach's, much like Hayden suffers from composing at the same time as Mozart. Handel and Bach were born the same year, and Handel outlived Bach by only nine years, during which he did little composing, sadly having gone blind. For the people who know very little about classical music, Bach is the example of late-Baroque music of which they are aware and Mozart embodies the Classical period, leaving Handel and Haydn typically unexplored.

Handel was particularly prolific in the vocal genres, having composed 45 operas and 100 contatas. Probably his most famous and celebrated work today is the Messiah, an oratorio (think opera without costumes, set, or staging) which is typically performed around Christmas, as it is about Christ. Handel's Water Music is also much-beloved; in addition to featuring in the repertoire of many concert orchestras, it has also found popularity as a piece for meditation, yoga, and the like.

Finding Handel Sheet Music Online

Digital sheet music, however, gives you a better chance to explore Handel's works than ever before. You can find vocal works, orchestral works, solo works, or arrangements for solo instruments of some of Handel's more enduring themes. Other musicians and scholars who know more about his work may have taken the time to create digital Handel sheet music that you can find online, some of it even for free.