Handel: Messiah

The section explores the composition Messiah by Handel.

George Frideric Handel

• Birth and Early Life: Handel was born in Germany in 1685 and is considered one of the most significant composers of the Baroque period.
• Career: He worked as the court conductor for the Elector of Hanover, who later became King George I of England. Handel moved to England in 1712, where he gained considerable fame.
• Opera and Oratorio: Initially, Handel composed operas that were popular in England. However, as the cost of staging operas increased, he began writing oratorios. Unlike operas, oratorios didn't require acting, costumes, or sets; only solo voices, choir, and orchestra. Oratorios were religious in nature, often based on biblical texts.

About Messiah

Premiere: Messiah premiered in Dublin in 1742 and is one of Handel's most famous works. While originally conceived as a work for Easter, it has since become associated with Christmas and is frequently performed during the Christmas season.

Structure: The oratorio is divided into three main sections:

Within each section, there are different types of musical movements:

• The prophecies about the coming of Jesus, the Messiah, and the Nativity.
• The suffering of Christ and His death.
• The Day of Judgement and redemption for all.

Within each section, there are different types of musical movements:

• Choruses: For the entire choir to sing.
• Arias: For solo voices.
• Duets: For pairs of solo voices.
• Recitatives: A mix of melody and speech, advancing the narrative.
• Instrumental sections: For instrumental contrasts alongside vocal movements.

Elements of Music in Messiah

Melody

• Word Painting: Handel uses word painting in the lyrics to enhance the meaning of the text.
  • Examples include:
    • "Mountain" rises in pitch.
    • "Low" is sung on the lowest pitch.
    • "Crooked" is written with staggered quavers and semitone intervals to depict unevenness.

Rhythm

• Hemiola: Handel uses hemiola rhythms, which shift the emphasis on the downbeat. This creates a feeling of change in time signature, making the music feel as if it is in 3/4 or 6/4 instead of the usual 4/4.
• Dotted Rhythms: The trumpet fanfare in the Hallelujah Chorus features dotted rhythms, creating a dramatic and festive effect.

Structure

• Messiah is structured in three main sections, as outlined above, each with different musical types:
  • Choruses for a large, full sound.
  • Arias for a more personal and expressive solo voice.
  • Recitatives for narrative and pacing.

These sections help to guide the listener through the story, providing contrast between large-scale choral moments and more intimate solo moments.

Instrumentation and Timbre

• Messiah was originally written for:
  • SATB (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass) choir with soloists.
  • Strings: Violin, viola, cello, and double bass.
  • Brass: Two trumpets.
  • Percussion: Timpani.
  • Continuo: Organ and harpsichord.
  • In later performances, oboes and bassoons were added.

The choir would have initially been made up of male voices only.

Texture

• The texture varies throughout Messiah, providing contrast and highlighting different sections of the music:
  • Contrapuntal and homophonic textures are used in the "And the Glory of the Lord", providing variety and interest.
  • Imitative texture (where one voice imitates another) is used in the "And the Glory of the Lord" to create a sense of dialogue and interplay.
  • Homophonic texture in the Hallelujah Chorus, where the choir sings in harmony, creates a rich, unified sound that suits the celebratory nature of the piece.

Harmony and Tonality

• The tonality changes frequently throughout Messiah to reflect the changing moods and themes:
  • A major: In "And the Glory of the Lord" (Part 1), the piece concludes with a perfect cadence (V-I), providing a sense of resolution and completion.
  • B minor: In "The people that walked in darkness" (Part 1), the piece is in B minor to reflect the text about darkness, ending on a phrygian cadence (IVb - V), creating a feeling of tension and unease.
  • D major: The Hallelujah Chorus (Part 2) is in D major and ends with a plagal cadence (IV-I), reinforcing the triumphant mood of this famous movement.

Performing and Composing Ideas

• Understanding the effects of different musical techniques in Messiah can help performers interpret the music effectively. For example, word painting enhances the text and helps convey the meaning of the lyrics. Rhythmic contrasts, such as hemiola and dotted rhythms, create excitement and variety. The changes in texture and tonality guide the emotional flow of the piece, moving from darkness to light, suffering to redemption.

Impact of Messiah

• Since its premiere in 1742, Messiah has become one of the most frequently performed choral works in the world.
• Initially composed for Easter, Messiah has become associated with Christmas, especially the Hallelujah Chorus, which has become a symbol of the holiday season.
• The oratorio's lasting appeal lies in its universal themes of hope, redemption, and triumph, which continue to resonate with audiences today.

Key Takeaways

• George Frideric Handel was a prominent Baroque composer known for his operas and oratorios, including the famous Messiah.
• Messiah tells the story of Christ's coming, suffering, and redemption through a mix of choruses, arias, and recitatives.
• The use of word painting, rhythmic contrasts, and changing textures are key elements of the work.
• Messiah has had a profound impact on choral music, and its performances continue to draw large audiences around the world.