”Pifa”, sometimes translated as “Pastoral Symphony”, is Handel’s attempt to recreate the sound of shepherds’ bagpipes. It grew in length over the years, but by 1754 Handel had reduced it to its original 11 bars as a lead-in to four short accompanied soprano recitatives, each intended to ratchet up the tension. They in turn lead into a chorus, “Glory to God”, where the trumpets appear for the first time. Note the word painting, high voices for heaven and the low voices for peace on earth. At the end, Handel marks the ending pianissimo as the vision fades. (Luke)
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A very Merry Christmas to you.