Recording: By the Choir of King’s College in Cambridge
Score: From IMSLP
Excerpts (part 1, scene 1, 4-5, part 2, scene 7):
- Sinfonia (Overture) – 1’57”
- Recitative “There were shepherds” – 41’44”
- Chorus “Glory to God” – 43’23”
- Air “Rejoice greatly” – 45’22”
- Chorus “Hallelujah” – 111’20”
A true English tradition, Handel’s best known oratorio was composed in just under a month. Some call it a fit of divine inspiration, but in reality Handel wrote many of his operas in a similar amount of time. Messiah’s success, on the other hand, is most surely thanks to its “divine origins”. Handel had made a career writing operas in Italy before he moved to England with his patron, the Elector of Hanover-turned King George I. In London however, few could appreciate Handel’s Italian-singing divas, but absolutely everyone knew the words of the King James Bible from which Messiah‘s libretto was drawn.
Name that texture
Without consulting the score, listen from the beginning of Messiah (1’57”) to 14’51”. Here are the titles of all the sections you’ll hear: “Sinfonia”, “Comfort ye, my people”, “Every valley shall be exalted”, and “And the glory of the lord”. What is the form of each section: French overture, chorus, aria, recitative accompagnato, or recitativo secco? Which feature gives it away?
While you’re listening to “Every valley shall be exalted”, identify at least four different cases of word painting. This little passage has so much word painting that it’s a classic example of the technique!
More neat stuff
Each year around Christmas you may hear familiar tunes like “And the Glory of the Lord” (a community choir favorite), “For Unto Us a Child is Born”, and the cliché “Hallelujah” chorus echoing around churches, concert halls, and… even malls? Yes indeed, when I was in university a group of locals (including UWO students I believe!) pulled off this Handel flash mob in a food court. Whether you are religious or no, I highly recommend your local sing-along Messiah for the experience of a truly musical Christmas. (To save money, go to a smaller show usually hosted in a church instead of the big one in the orchestra hall.)