The Messiah
Messiah (1741) is an oratorio by George Frideric Handel. It is his most famous work (approached only by his Water Music) and remains immensely popular among concert-goers in the English-speaking world.
The name of the oratorio is taken from Judaism and Christianity's concept of the messiah ("the anointed one"). In Christianity, the Messiah is Jesus Christ. Handel himself was a devout Christian, and the work is a presentation of Jesus's life and its significance according to Christian doctrine.
Although Handel called his oratorio simply "Messiah" (without "The"), the work is in fact widely referred to as The Messiah. This folklore-title is so common that to many ears, the correct version actually sounds wrong.
Although the text is devoted to resurrection and salvation, and the work was conceived and first performed for Easter, it has become traditional since Handel's death to perform the Messiah oratorio during Advent, the preparatory period of the Christmas season, rather than at Easter. Christmas concerts often feature only the first section of Messiah plus the "Hallelujah" Chorus. The work is also heard at Eastertide, and selections containing resurrection themes are often included in Easter services. The soprano aria I Know that my Redeemer Liveth is frequently heard at Christian funerals.
Composition and premiere
In the summer of 1741 Handel, at the peak of his musical powers but depressed and in debt, began setting Charles Jennens' Biblical libretto to music at his usual breakneck speed. In just 21 days, Messiah was complete. However it was not first performed until 1742, at a charity concert in Dublin on April 13 after production difficulties and last-minute rearrangements of the score. Like many of Handel's compositions, it borrows liberally from earlier works, both his own and those of others.
Handel himself conducted Messiah many times, often altering it to suit the needs of the moment. In consequence no single version can be regarded as the "authentic" one, and many more variations and rearrangements were added in subsequent centuries - a notable arrangement was one by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Most modern performances employ orchestra, choir, and four soloists: bass, tenor, contralto or counter-tenor, and soprano.
The "Hallelujah Chorus"
The most famous movement is the "Hallelujah Chorus", which concludes the second of the three parts. In many parts of the world, it is the accepted practice for the audience to stand for this section during a performance . Tradition has it that on first hearing the chorus, King George II became so excited that he rose to his feet, which required everyone attending the concert to stand as well, and it became the custom ever since.
