Schumann's fascination with the virtuosity and showmanship of _____ kindled a desire to do the same on the piano.

Nicolo Paganini

George Handel

Franz Haydn

The two giants of the Baroque Period are generally considered to be George Frideric Handel and Johann Sebastian Bach. Using the elements of music, please compare and contrast the 4 selections we are listening to this week, addressing the differences in genre between recitative, aria and chorus in the Messiah oratorio (Handel), and chorale in the cantata (Bach). Please also address the following question: If you were stranded on a desert island and could have the recordings of only one of these two composers, which one would it be? Why?