Handel’s Messiah, ‘Tis The Season

Description
‘Tis the season for some great music, including Handel’s Messiah! What were the origins of this fantastic work? Take a minute to get the scoop!

Fun Fact
Handel composed Messiah in just 24 days without getting much sleep and or eating much food. While writing the ‘Hallelujah’ chorus Handel’s servant discovered him with tears in his eyes, and he exclaimed, “I did think I did see all Heaven before me, and the great God Himself seated on His throne, with His company of Angels.”
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About Steven, Host
Steven is a Canadian composer & actor living in Toronto. Through his music, he creates a range of works, with an emphasis on the short-form genre—his muse being to offer the listener both the darker and more satiric shades of human existence. If you're interested, please check out his music website for more. Member of the Canadian League Of Composers.
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Transcript

In 1741, musical maestro George Frideric Handel completed the epic work, the Messiah – in a mind-boggling 24 days, surviving on coffee and sheer brilliance. Premiering in Dublin in 1742, it had a slow start but exploded into fame, thanks to the 'Hallelujah' chorus. It is claimed that he even teared up while composing the 'Hallelujah' chorus, claiming he glimpsed heaven.

Handel kept the work relatively minimalist with the perfect balance of German Passion, English anthem, and Italian opera. 

He created a piece based on three concepts: the story of the nativity and its prophecy; that of the crucifixion and redemption of mankind; and a commentary on the Christian soul and its victory over death. In each of these three parts, the chorus is absolutely at the heart of the work, complemented by four vocal soloists and an orchestra.

Though it was originally written for Easter, Handel’s eminently singable Messiah has also become a mainstay of the festive season.