Handel Messiah

The Messiah was written at great speed by Handel during the winter of 1741–2, and was received to great acclaim its first performance in Dublin in 1742. Charles Jennens compiled the text from the Bible, and the work is cast in three sections. Although a success in Dublin, the work had a less than warm welcome when it was performed in London without its title, and called ‘a New Sacred Oratorio’ to avoid causing offence to the rather puritanical British public and press. This ruse failed however, and the press were hostile. Jennens and Handel also fell out, as Jennens felt that the composer hadn’t taken enough time and care over the music! This was a low point for Handel, and he seriously contemplated leaving the UK and returning to Germany. Eventually, after a few years, and after a series of performances for charitable causes, the work became a firm favourite. It has been linked ever since with the composer’s generous charitable donations to the Foundling Hospital, of which he was a director along with William Hogarth and Thomas Coram. Messiah is the masterpiece of the English Baroque, and for 200 years has been performed by both professional and amateur choirs around the world. Handel’s gift for truly memorable tunes and (notwithstanding Jennens’s concerns) the care he took in setting the text have ensured that it has remained one of the most famous works ever composed. Track Listing: Disc 1: Sinfonia (1. Teil) Rezitativ: Comfort Ye My People Arie: Ev'ry Valley Shall Be Exalted Chor: And The Glory Of The Lord Shall Be Revealed Rezitativ: Thus Saith The Lord Of Hosts Arie: But Who May Abide The Day Of His Coming- Chor: And He Shall Purify Rezitativ: Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive Arie - Chor: O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings To Zion Rezitativ: For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover The Earth Arie: The People That Walked In Darkness Chor: For Unto Us A Child Is Born Pifa Rezitativ: There Were Shepherds Rezitativ: And The Angel Said Unto Them Rezitativ: And Suddenly There Was With The Angel Chor: Glory To God In The Highest Arie: Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter Of Zion Rezitativ: Then Shall The Eyes Of The Bilnd Be Open'd Duett: He Shall Feed His Flock Like A Shepherd Chor: His Yoke Is Easy, His Burthen Is Light Chor: Behold The Lamb Of God (2. Teil) Arie: He Was Despised Disc 2: Chor: Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs Chor: And With His Stripes We Are Healed Chor: All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray Rezitativ: All They That See Him, Laugh Him To Scorn Chor: He Trusted In God Rezitativ: Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart Arie: Behold, And See If There Be Any Sorrow Rezitativ: He Was Cut Off Out Of The Land Of The Living Arie: But Thou Didst Not Leave His Soul In Hell Chor: Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates Rezitativ: Unto Which Of The Angels Chor: Let All The Angels Of God Worship Him Arie: Thou Art Gone Up On High Chor: The Lord Gave The Word Arie: How Beautiful Are The Feet Chor: Their Sound Is Gone Out Into All Lands Arie: Why Do The Nations So Furiously Rage Together- Chor: Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder Rezitativ: He That Dwelleth In Heaven Arie: Thou Shalt Break Them Chor: Hallelujah! Arie: I Know That My Redeemer Liveth Chor: Since By Man Came Death Rezitativ: Behold, I Tell You A Mystery Arie: The Trumpet Shall Sound Rezitativ: Then Shall Be Brought To Pass The Saying Duett: O Death, Where Is Thy Sting- Chor: But Thanks Be To God Arie: If God Be For Us Chor: Worthy Is The Lamb That Was Slain... Amen