Posted on 12/23/2020 7:46:19 AM PST by SkyPilot
After the success of Messiah, Handel continued to write religious music. Beethoven said: "To him I bend the knee, for Handel was the greatest, ablest composer that ever lived."
Amazing.
Which goes to prove that God always has a Handel on things..................
Very thoughtful of you to post this. Much thanks.
I have to admit I always thought it was because of a bet. “I bet you can’t write one of your operas using only the Bible for a script.”
So, in our little hometown Baptist Church, the Hallelujah Chorus started playing. I was a little guy, and I saw my mother stand up. Only her, and for the longest time, which kind of made me feel everyone was staring at her, then an older boy stood up, who is now a pastor of a large church. Eventually, the whole church followed suit. Later in life I realized that my mother was a woman of strong conviction and strength and that is was characteristic of her to do what she thought was right regardless of what was going on around her.
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King George was so moved by the “Hallelujah Chorus” that he spontaneously rose from his seat. The entire audience followed his example and, for the past 250-plus years, audiences have continued to do the same.
This tradition continues to this day at every performance!
A little footnote. The Messiah was originally slated to premier at St. Patrick’s Cathedral (Protestant Church of Ireland). However, Handel had a falling out with the Dean of the Cathedral, Jonathan Swift (yes — that Jonathan Swift) and the debut was moved to a smaller venue in Dublin.
“Which goes to prove that God always has a Handel on things..”
That is excellent! Even more so if you thought it up yourself!
I hope that is what is playing at the gates of Heaven when we enter!
This is one I watch every year- it’s wonderful!
When I was a child, about 6 church choirs in our area got together every September and began practicing Messiah. They sang it each night the week before Christmas in each church. My mother sang in our choir so we went to each performance. I’ve never heard such beautiful performances as those choirs.
I was a fortunate girl!
LOL, ughh
Wow. They say that Handel could be a difficult man. Even he said he was.
Your mother was a woman of strong conviction. I always think of Luke 9:26 when I hear stories like yours.
Fifty years ago, I was a Tenor in the Millsaps College choir that performed Handel’s Messiah.
Preparing for that presentation was one of the most memorable events of my life.
It is best performed when the performers (singers and mucisians) have prayed until they are every bit as anointed as was its original giving to Handel.
This is what makes Handel’s Messiah so powerful.
Yes, you were!
I heard a story about a Christian man in his late 80s who was dying. He and his wife of over 65 years held hands, and he asked to listen to Handel's Messiah. And that's how he died - listening and holding his dear wife's hand.
God bless you and Merry Christmas.
Growing up we always attended at least one performance of the Messiah. My father was always in the chorus. He frequently was a soloist.
Wish we could turn back the clock.
From the comments, "A wonderful performance! You Tube doesn't share the info, but the director is Vaclav Lucs, and that fabulous alto is Delphine Galou. The group is Collegium 1704, in Prague. No info on where this was performed. They have a Bach B minor mass, too!"
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