Hallelujah Chorus – taken from Celebrating Christmas
George Friederich Handel’s Messiah is probably the most popular piece of all classical Christmas music. Technically an oratorio (an ‘opera without action’), it focuses more on Easter than Christmas but, nevertheless, performances of Messiah are almost universal in the run-up to Christmas.
Handel (1685–1759) was a German musician who settled in London and became a part of the British musical scene with a prolific output of operas, oratorios and various other works. He was a Christian and a generous supporter of good causes.
In summer 1741 Handel was sent the text of Messiah by the wealthy landowner and devout Anglican Charles Jennens, who had supported Handel financially in the past. Jennens’ text doesn’t so much tell the story of Jesus as compile a series of biblical texts that refer to his coming as Messiah, his death on the cross, his resurrection and ultimate triumph. Handel, who had the ability to write music fast, began working on it at what was, even for him, an extraordinary pace. Within twenty-four days he had written fifty-three movements of choral and orchestral music, totalling some two hours.
In spring 1742 Handel conducted the first performance of Messiah in Dublin for a charity concert. Handel’s reputation was such that it was a sell out and, to maximise numbers, men were requested to avoid bringing swords and women to avoid wearing hoops in their dresses. The work was an immediate success in Dublin but less so when performed in London, where there were pious suspicions that the playhouse was inappropriate for religious music.
With repeated performances, many of them for such charities as London’s Foundling Hospital, Messiah won the hearts of music lovers and soon became a tradition. In the 18th and 19th centuries the practice grew up of performing it with the largest and loudest forces, with massed choirs and enormous orchestras.
The most well-known movement of this work is the remarkable ‘Hallelujah Chorus’, which concludes the second of the three parts. It is said that on first hearing it King George II, possibly imagining that he was hearing the national anthem of heaven, rose to his feet, compelling the rest of the audience also to stand. The tradition persists.
Messiah is an astonishing work and deserves to be listened to thoughtfully, not just at Christmas but at any time of the year.
