Tag: Handel

Why We Stand for the Hallelujah Chorus

If you have ever attended a live performance of Messiah, you probably stood up during the  Hallelujah Chorus.  That tradition dates back to King George II of England who according to tradition, was so moved during this song that he stood to his feet. Since he was the king, everyone  had to stand with him.

“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.

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.

And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written,

King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords.”
Revelation 19,  King James Version

 

The birth of Jesus made possible not just a new way of understanding life but a new way of living it.
Carl Frederick Buechner was an American writer and theologian. He died in 2022 at 96 years old.(affiliate link) graphic credit Lightstock.com (affiliate link)

 

Messiah’s Hallelujah Chorus

Often referred to as the Hallelujah Chorus, this passage is the most recognized part of Handel’s Messiah. We associate  Messiah with Christmas, but Handel wrote it to be performed at Easter. He drew the words of the songs from Scripture, choosing passages that tell the story of God sending Jesus to earth to redeem His people.

 

If you have ever attended a live performance of Messiah, you probably stood up during the  Hallelujah Chorus.  That tradition dates back to King George II of England who according to tradition, was so moved during this song that he stood to his feet. Since he was the king, everyone  had to stand with him.

 

Photo by Blue Ox Studio on Pexels.com

The Pure Power Of Handel’s ‘Hallelujah Chorus’

 The “Hallelujah Chorus,” from George Frideric Handel‘s Messiah, is such an iconic piece of music that it’s easy to take its exuberance and its greatness for granted.

Composer-conductor Rob Kapilow joins Performance Today host Fred Child to examine the structure of Handel’s popular little chorus and discover why the music has such a powerful grip on singers and listeners.

Continue reading

 

 

Sharing the HEART of Christmas

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Watercress Words by Dr. Aletha

Dr. Aletha

 

 

 

Shouting good news at Christmas

We usually associate  Messiah with Christmas, but Handel wrote it to be performed at Easter. He drew the words of the songs from Scripture, choosing passages that tell the story of God sending Jesus to earth to redeem His people.

Keep reading

 

Handel’s Messiah-Announcing good news

An angel announced the birth of the Savior in Luke 2, bringing joy and a sign of hope. The text from Isaiah 9:6, referenced in Handel’s Messiah, highlights the significance of this birth, which inspired Handel’s composition in 1741. The piece, however, was originally intended for Easter, not Christmas.

Keep reading

 

Handel’s Messiah-Announcing good news

An angel announced the birth of the Savior in Luke 2, bringing joy and a sign of hope. The text from Isaiah 9:6, referenced in Handel’s Messiah, highlights the significance of this birth, which inspired Handel’s composition in 1741. The piece, however, was originally intended for Easter, not Christmas.

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

 But the angel said to them,

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2, NIV

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

"For unto us a son is given"
graphic from Lightstock.com, an affiliate link 

This Bible verse, Isaish 9:6 is used in Handel’s Messiah.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder. And his name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”

The Origins of Handel’s Messiah

(from Smithsonian Magazine)

Handel composed Messiah in an astounding interlude, somewhere between three and four weeks in August and September 1741.

“He would literally write from morning to night,” says Sarah Bardwell of the Handel House Museum in London.

The text was prepared in July by the prominent librettist, Charles Jennens, and was intended for an Easter performance the following year.

“I hope [Handel] will lay out his whole Genius & Skill upon it, that the Composition may excel all his former Compositions, as the Subject excels every other Subject,” Jennens wrote to a friend.

sharing the HEART of Christmas  

Thank you for reading this post. I strive to make them worth your time.

I share information and inspiration that sparks transformation in your body, mind, and spirit.

You can follow this blog two easy ways. One is to put your email address into the box below.

Another way is to follow me on Facebook where new posts appear, as well as other timely topics, photos, and an occasional cartoon.

Watercress Words by Dr. Aletha

Dr. Aletha

Messiah isn’t just about Christ’s birth and wasn’t written for Christmas. Learn more in this post.