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Messiah

Handel Messiah

Programme Notes by Peter Rutterford

Majora Canamus
                         (Virgil Ecogue IV)

And without controversy, great is the mystery of Godliness:

    God was manifested in the Flesh, justified by the Spirit, seen of Angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world,

    Received up in glory.

(1 Timothy iii, 16; Colosians ii, 3)

These words, selected by the librettist, formed a preface to the word-book of the first performance in April 1742 at Dublin. They were repeated on the word-books published in London 1749-59 and later.

Handel composed Messiah in Dublin in an astonishingly short period of three weeks, between 22 August and 6 September 1741. Part 1 was completed in just six days, Parts II and III completed by September 6 and 12 respectively with the final two days for the orchestration. Even by Handel's standards this was miraculous speed.

The libretto, compiled by the author Charles Jennens, was sent to Handel in June 1741 and, astonishing as it sounds, Jennens did not approve of Messiah. He thought it had been set in 'too great a haste' and 'not near so good as he might and ought to have done'. However, after several revisions Jennens was happier stating, 'I value Messiah highly, Handel has made a fine Entertainment of it.'

Jennens probably formed the general plan of Messiah not by studying the Bible but by perusing the Prayer Book; for much of Messiah's text comes not from that source. The passages from Isaiah and the Gospels are in part from the Christmas service for the Church of England. Part II uses the services for Holy Week, Easter, Ascensiontide and Whitsunday and Part III comes largely from the Burial Service.

In J.P. Larsen's book 'Handel's Messiah' he summed up the analysis thus:

  • Part I. The prophesy and realization of God's plan to redeem mankind by the coming of the Messiah.
  • Part II. The accomplishment of redemption by the sacrifice of Jesus, mankind's rejection of God's offer, and mankind's defeat when trying to oppose the power of the Almighty.
  • Part III.  A Hymn of Thanksgiving for the final overthrow of Death.

    • PART 1

    1. Sinfonia (Overture)    Orchestra

    2. Comfort ye my people   Recit. Tenor

    3. Ev’ry valley shall be exalted    Air. Tenor

    4. And the glory of the Lord   Chorus

    5. Thus saith the Lord     Recit. Bass

    6. But who may abide the day of his coming Air. Alto

    7. And He shall purify     Chorus

    8. Behold, a virgin shall conceive   Recit. Alto

    9. O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion  Aria. Alto & Chorus

    10. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth   Recit. Bass

    11. The people that walked in darkness Aria Bass

    12. For unto us a child is born    Chorus

    13. Pastoral Symphony    Orchestra

    14a. There were shepherds abiding in the field Recit. Soprano

    14b. And lo, the angel of the lord came upon them Recit. Soprano

    15. And the Lord said unto them  Recit. Soprano

    16. And suddenly there was with the angel  Recit. Soprano

    17. Glory to God     Chorus

    18. Rejoice greatly    Aria. Soprano

    19. Then shall the eyes of the blind   Recit. Alto

    20. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd  Aria. Alto

    21. His yoke is easy, and his burthen is light Chorus

        Interval

    PART 2

    22. Behold the Lamb of God   Chorus

    23. He was despised    Aria. Alto

    24. Surely, he has borne our griefs  Chorus

    25. And with his stripes we are healed   Chorus

    26. All we like sheep have gone astray   Chorus

    27. All they that see him laugh him to scorn Accom. Tenor

    28. He trusted in God    Chorus

    29. Thy rebuke hath broken his heart   Accom. Soprano

    30. Behold, and see if there be any sorrow Air. Soprano

    31. Lift up your heads, O ye gates   Chorus

    32. Unto which of the angels said he at any time Recit. Tenor

    33. The Lord gave the word   Chorus

    34. How beautiful are the feet   Aria. Soprano

    35. Their sound is gone out    Chorus

    36. Why do the nations so furiously rage together Aria. Bass

    37. Let us break their bonds asunder   Chorus

    38. He that dwelleth in heaven   Recit. Tenor

    39. Thou shalt break them    Air. Tenor

    40. Hallelujah     Chorus

    PART 3

    41. I know that my redeemer liveth   Air. Soprano

    42. Since my man came death    Chorus

    43. Behold, I tell you a mystery   Accom. Bass

    44. The trumpet shall sound    Air. Bass

    45. Then shall be brought to pass  Recit. Alto

    46. O death where is thy sting?    Duet Alto & Tenor

    47. But thanks be to God   Chorus

    48. If God be for us     Air. Soprano

    49. Worthy is the lamb that was slain  Chorus

    50. Amen.      Chorus

 

 

 

Harpsichord: HOWARD DUTHIE

 

THE ANGUS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

Leader:  Audrey Mattner

 

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