In the autumn of 1823, when Beethoven was worked hard on the composition of the Ninth Symphony, he was visited by an Englishman, Edward Schultz. The conversation turned to composers that Beethoven admired. Expecting Beethoven to give priority to composers from his immediate tradition, such as Haydn and Mozart, Schultz was both surprised and delighted with the unequivocal response: ‘Handel is the greatest, the ablest composer that ever lived’. When Schultz tried to bring Mozart’s name into the conversation Beethoven’s response was an impatient one: ‘In a monarchy we know who is the first’.
This is one of many complimentary remarks that Beethoven made about Handel, reflecting a view that he had held for much of his life. But it was not an unusual one in the Vienna of the time. Handel’s music enjoyed a presence in the musical life of the city that was equal to that of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven, even though the composer had died half a century earlier and had never even visited the city.
Yes. Bach's St. Matthew Passion.
One reason is it’s an opera on English, so it’s easy on the ears. The Isiah verses are short but powerful.
Let George ‘Handel’ it!
Other works on his ‘Grand & Beautiful’ List include;
*Water Music- Suite #2.
*Concerto for Organ F maj. aka The Cuckoo & The Nightingale
*Arrival of Queen Sheba
****Fireworks Music - Concerto No.26 (known to knock one’s socks off!)
Messiah sung by the choir of New College, Oxford:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyXewGfDx5l1g9KKCzWTNalsdynvUAI8v
Divine Inspiration
>>Handel’s Messiah” oratorio, including the powerfully beautiful Christmas-oriented “For unto us a child is born” based on the writings of the Prophet Isaiah, and the soaringly magnificent Hallelujah Chorus.<<
Exquisite—and Handel knew it as (and after) he wrote it!
“I know my Savior liveth” gets me every time...
A German speaker advised the name written Händel (umlaut—ä—added) is an English-speakers construct.
The main problem is that the Hallelujah Chorus is an Easter song. It’s from the Easter section of the Messiah.
There are so many great Christmas songs in the Christmas part of the Messiah that should be sung instead.
Having said that, my personal favorite of the whole oratorio is its finale, Worthy is the Lamb; the Amen fugal chorus brings me to tears, for it is when, as Eric Liddell put it, I feel His pleasure.
Some thoughts on why Handel's Messiah at Christmas is so compelling
Because the words are, all and only, scripture.
My favorite part: “And He shall reign forever and ever. Hallelujah, hallelujah!”
Merry Christmas, Free Republic.
But my turn always gravitates to music of the highest standards, and Handel's music is regularly among it.
After experimentaling with everything else, the children too tend to gravitate to music of the highest standard.
MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE! AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! Being sapiophilic, I naturally married an extremely intelligent wife. Our children have always been exposed to highly intellectual experiences. My grandson, fourteen years old, read Kafka's Metamorphosis, something I have never been able to understand, and explained it to me. Children love to have their intellects challenged.
I had to work very hard in college and graduate school. I was afraid not to. I also worked very hard until I retired. When I retired, at age 53, I was tired of working hard and especially of thinking hard. What was the first thing I did? I enrolled as a full time freshman college student, taking a full freshman load. To my amazement--I had learned to love studying! I worked as hard as I've ever worked--demanded and made all A's. I never stopped studying and working hard. I love it. I studied everything from computers, geology, genetics, French, German, music, martial arts, horseback riding, Oriental mysticism...what am I leaving out? And I took my family and all the children on many, many long trips all over the world, hired expert guides--and they paid attention. In the many photos, the children are on the front row paying careful attention. My children are absolutely fabulous. Sweet, kind, truthful--wonderful in every way. I have been so blessed, and I look forward to even greater blessings in the life to come. We all can.
It’s a masterpiece.