Messiah (1741) is an oratorio by George Frideric Handel. It is his most famous work (approached only by his Water Music) and remains immensely popular among concert-goers in the English-speaking world.

The name of the oratorio is taken from Judaism and Christianity's concept of the messiah ("the anointed one"). In Christianity, the Messiah is Jesus. Handel himself was a devout Christian, and the work is a presentation of Jesus's life and its significance according to Christian doctrine.

Although Handel called his oratorio simply "Messiah" (without "The"), the work is also widely but wrongly referred to as The Messiah. This folk-title is so common that, to many ears, the correct version actually sounds wrong.

Although the text is devoted to resurrection and salvation, and the work was conceived and first performed for Easter, it has become traditional since Handel's death to perform the Messiah oratorio during Advent, the preparatory period of the Christmas season, rather than at Easter. Christmas concerts often feature only the first section of Messiah plus the "Hallelujah" Chorus. The work is also heard at Eastertide, and selections containing resurrection themes are often included in Easter services. The soprano aria I Know that my Redeemer Liveth is frequently heard at Christian funerals.

Composition and premiere

In the summer of 1741 Handel, at the peak of his musical powers but depressed and in debt, began setting Charles Jennens' Biblical libretto to music at his usual breakneck speed. In just 21 days, Messiah was complete. However it was not first performed until 1742, at a charity concert in Dublin on April 13 after production difficulties and last-minute rearrangements of the score. Like many of Handel's compositions, it borrows liberally from earlier works, both his own and those of others.

Handel himself conducted Messiah many times, often altering it to suit the needs of the moment. In consequence no single version can be regarded as the "authentic" one, and many more variations and rearrangements were added in subsequent centuries - a notable arrangement was one by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Most modern performances employ orchestra, choir, and four soloists: bass, tenor, contralto or counter-tenor, and soprano.

The "Hallelujah Chorus"

The most famous movement is the "Hallelujah Chorus", which concludes the second of the three parts. The text is drawn from three passages in the New Testament book of Revelation:

And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. (Revelation 19:6 (http://bible.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/bible?passage=revelation+19%3A6&KJV_version=yes&language=english&x=9&y=1))

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 11:15 (http://bible.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/bible?passage=revelation+11%3A15&KJV_version=yes&language=english&x=13&y=6))

And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:16 (http://bible.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/bible?passage=revelation+19%3A16&KJV_version=yes&language=english&x=11&y=10))

In many parts of the world, it is the accepted practice for the audience to stand for this section during a performance . Tradition has it that on first hearing the chorus, King George II became so excited that he rose to his feet, which required everyone attending the concert to stand as well, and it became the custom ever since.

Media

Part of Handel's Messiah, as sung by the MIT Concert Choir:

• 01 - Sinfony
• 02 - Comfort Ye
• 03 - Ev'ry Valley
• 04 - And the Glory of the Lord
• 05 - Thus saith the Lord
• 06 - But who may abide
• 07 - And He shall purify
• 08 - Behold, a virgin shall conceive
• 09 - O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion
• 10 - For behold, darkness shall cover the Earth
• 11 - The people that walked in darkness
• 12 - For unto us a child is born
• 13 - Pifa
• 14 - There were shepherds abiding in the field
• 14a - And lo, the Angel of the Lord came upon them
• 15 - And the Angel said unto them
• 16 - And suddenly there was with the Angel
• 17 - Glory to god
• 18 - Rejoice greatly
• 19 - Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened
• 20 - He shall feed his flock
• 21 - His yoke is easy
• 22 - Behold the lamb of god
• 23 - He was despised
• 24 - Surely he hath borne our griefs
• 25 - And with his stripes
• 26 - All we, like sheep
• 27 - All they that see him laugh him to scorn
• 28 - He trusted in God
• 29 - Thy rebuke hath broken His heart
• 30 - Behold and see
• 31 - He was cut off
• 32 - But Thou didst not leave
• 33 - Lift up ye heads, o ye gates
• 34 - Unto which of the Angels
• 35 - Let all the Angels of God worship Him
• 36 - Thou art gone up on high
• 37 - The lord gave the word
• 38 - How beautiful are the feet
• 39 - Their sound is gone out
• 40 - Why do the Nations
• 41 - Let us break their bonds asunder
• 42 - He that dwelleth in heaven
• 43 - Thou shalt break them
• 44 - Hallelujah

External links

• Messiah (http://gfhandel.org/messiah.htm) (at gfhandel.org)
• Handel's Messiah Through the Centuries (http://psg.com/~patf/bach/messiah.html)
• Free recordings of Messiah (incomplete) by the MIT choir (http://hebb.mit.edu/FreeMusic/MIT_Music/Handel/)
• Messiah through the eyes of Mozart and Beethoven (http://www.classicalbuffet.com/composers/handel/messiah.htm)