Some say that the music of Händel’s Messiah helped to revive interest in Christmas. By the early 19th century, Christmas had become a neglected holiday that was hardly celebrated. It was the Victorian period that elevated its festive character to what we know today. Queen Victoria’s German-born husband Prince Albert introduced the Christmas tree to the royal court, and by the end of the century, Christmas had become the biggest celebration of the year. Music was part of the revived festivities, and since then, Handel’s Messiah is a major element of the Christmas jubilee inventory.
Handel wrote the Messiah in 1741 in just 24 days, even though only a few years earlier (in 1737) he had suffered a stroke that his doctor declared would leave him brain-injured forever. Handel was able to cure himself and come back to full creative power. History has it that his servant found Handel in tears while composing the Hallelujah chorus.
The first performance of the oratorio in Dublin in 1742 was hugely successful and raised 400 pounds. Handel gave instructions that the proceeds be donated to prisoners, orphans, and the sick. In this way, 142 men were freed from debtors’ prison, a place that Handel himself often enough was on the brink of entering.
The libretto of the oratorio in three parts tells of the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ; however, all of its words are compiled almost exclusively from Old Testament scripture. The great chorus “For unto us a child is born” that constitutes our Music of the Week sings the words from Isaiah 9:6-7 and conveys some of the greatest titles of the Office of the Christ.
Hear (once again) the exquisite performance of the choir of King’s College, Cambridge and the Brandenburg Consort under Stephen Cleobury.
Soli Deo Gloria – SDG
Related:
Messiah (Wikipedia)
Related on the Solari Report:
Music of the Week: December 8, 2023: G.F. Handel – For Unto Us a Child Is Born
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