Handel's Messiah - Excerpts
EXCERPTS FROM MESSIAH (1741)
by George Frideric Handel
Sinfonia 0:00
Chorus: For Unto Us A Child Is Born 3:55
Pastorale 8:16
Hallelujah Chorus 11:44
Handel’s Messiah is arguably the most popular vocal/choral work from the Baroque era, a beloved masterpiece, a staple of the concert hall and Christmas time. Drawing from his experience as a composer of Italian opera, Handel brought the form of the oratorio to new heights. While many of his oratorios dealt with sacred subjects, the genre is more theatre than church music, meant as artistic entertainment for the concert hall. Vocal soloists and choirs are accompanied by orchestra – just like an opera – but the action is not intended to be staged. Uniquely, Handel’s oratorios were written and sung in English, which has certainly contributed to its lasting appeal today. His wonderful writing for chorus is a testament to his ingenuity with the English language, with music by turns luscious and magnificent.
Written in 24 days in 1741, Messiah was first performed at a fundraising concert in Dublin on 13 April 1742, to an audience of 700 – the largest audience then ever assembled for a musical performance in Ireland.
Singapore Symphony Chorus
Singapore Symphony Youth Choir
Singapore Symphony Children's Choir
Singapore Symphony Orchestra
Rodolfo Barráez, Associate Conductor
Recorded on 15 Dec 2022 at the Esplanade Concert Hall, Singapore at the SSO Christmas Fundraising Concert 2022.
For Unto Us A Child Is Born
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Hallelujah Chorus
Hallelujah! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. The Kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever. King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Hallelujah!