From 1694 in Halle, the young Georg Friedrich Handel studied under Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow, who became his first and only formal music teacher. Under Zachow’s guidance, Handel received intensive instruction in composition, counterpoint, basso continuo, and performance on the organ, violin, harpsichord, and oboe. Zachow also introduced him to a wide repertoire of German and Italian music, having him copy scores from his extensive library, thereby shaping Handel’s stylistic versatility and technical foundation.
During these formative years, Handel absorbed the influence of Zachow’s own compositional style, including dramatic cantata writing and a rich contrapuntal tradition. By 1702, the effectiveness of Zachow’s teaching allowed the seventeen‑year‑old Handel to obtain the post of organist at the Domkirche in Halle, a position that reflected his rapid development under Zachow’s mentorship.
