This document discusses George Frideric Handel and his oratorio Messiah. It provides biographical information on Handel, noting that he was born in Germany but spent much of his career in Italy and England composing operas and oratorios. It describes the characteristics of Baroque oratorios and highlights Messiah as Handel's most famous work. The document examines selections from Messiah, including the aria "Rejoice Greatly" and the chorus "Hallelujah," analyzing their musical forms and styles. It also discusses the first performances of Messiah and the tradition started by King George II of standing for the "Hallelujah Chorus."

1. THE ENJOYMENT OF MUSIC
ESSENTIAL LISTENING
EDITION
by
Kristine Forney
Andrew Dell’Antonio
Joseph Machlis
THIRD EDITION
Lecture Slides

2. Chapter 20
Textures of Worship: Handel and the
English Oratorio

3. George Frideric Handel
(1685 - 1759)
• Born in Halle, Germany but moved to Italy
in 1706--composed operas and oratorios
there.
• Worked as a violinist in opera house at
Hamburg.
• Studied music in Rome with Corelli.
• Spent time in Venice where he composed
the oratorio, The Resurrection
• Moved back to Germany to be music
director for the Elector of Hanover in
1710, but then moved to England-
composed operas and oratorios.
• Director of London Royal Academy of
Music
• Abandoned opera in 1741 and turned to
oratorios.
• One of the first composers to become a
cultural hero--commemorated in 1784 by
series of concerts in Westminster Abbey.

4. George Frideric Handel
(1685 - 1759)
• Here Handel is
composing at the
keyboard without his
wig.
• Notice that he is
basically bald, keeping
his head shaved so that
the wig would fit more
comfortably in public.

5. George Frideric Handel
(1685-1759)
• A few well known works:
– Operas: Rinaldo and Julius Caesar
– Oratorios: Israel in Egypt, Messiah, Saul,
Samson, and Judas Maccabaeus
– Instrumental Music: Water Music and Music
for Royal Fireworks
– Secular vocal music, keyboard pieces, and
chamber music

6. Baroque Oratorio: General
Characteristics
• Like operas--tell a story (libretto)
– Have soloists, duets, trios, choruses
– Accompanied by orchestra
• Different from opera
– No costumes, staging, or acting
– Performed as a concert
• Biggest composer: Handel
– Probably his most famous--The Messiah

7. Handel and the English Oratorio
• Oratorio
– performed in the
oratory of
church

8. George Frideric Handel
Messiah
• These selections are a recitative and aria
followed by a large, grand chorus (known as
the “Hallelujah Chorus.”)
• The three work together to form one dramatic
unit.
• Each section has a different style of
composing and singing the music.

9. The Messiah
• 2 ½ hours long
• Written in 24 Days
• 1st
performance in Dublin(1742), benefit for
debtor’s prison
• 1st
in London-religious opposition to
Christian text in theater
• Achieved unique status, performed yearly
at benefit for London orphanage
• “Fed the hungry, clothed the naked,
fostered the orphan.”

10. The Messiah
• 3 Main parts
– Prophecy of Messiah’s arrival
– Christmas
– Easter
• 53 sections-19 choruses, 16 aria/recitatives, 2
orchestral features
• Contemplation on Christian belief-prophecy,
birth, suffering & death, Resurrection &
Redemption
• Only oratorio to use Old & New Testament

11. Aria Form: Called “Da Capo”
– “da capo” means “go back and sing the beginning again”
– A = very melodic, but not ornamented B = contrasting mood, tonality,
tempo A = repeated, but this time embellished
A B A
A section: highly
melodic, minimal
ornamentation
B section: contrasts of
mood, tonality, or
change of tempo
A’ section: repeat the 1st
section; Singer is free to
improvise/ornament,
embellish melody
Three parts: called A B A (letters designate sections)

12. George Frideric Handel
Messiah--Aria
• Aria—“Rejoice Greatly”
– Christmas Section
– Da Capo aria
– Lyrical, long melismas; second slower part in minor key
– Text is quite brief, but Handel repeats the words many
times and in
– Built on the ritornello principle, alternating between the
soloist and the orchestra

13. Messiah, “Rejoice Greatly”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bByY2_uXblQ

14. “Hallelujah” Chorus
• Characteristics
– Lengthy with repetitive text
– Rhythm strictly adhered to
– Accompaniment-important role
– Music requires more than average singing skill,
challenging
• Chorus-two meanings
– Group that sings choral music
– Choral section of musical work

15. George Frideric Handel
Messiah--Chorus
• Based on verses from the New Testament Book of Revelation
• Form: sectional--each verse or half-verse receives its own
melodic material, creating 4 large sections to the work (A, B,
C, and D)
– There are five melodies in the work.
– When the same text reappears, so does its corresponding
melody.
• Texture: movement includes all 3 forms of texture--
monophonic, homophonic, and polyphonic.
– Beginning “Hallelujah”--homophonic
– “For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth”--monophonic
– Polyphonic when texts are combined

16. Handel: Messiah, No. 44
(Listening Guide)
• “Hallelujah! Hallelujah!” homophonic
• “For the Lord God reigneth” monophonic
• “The Kingdom for this world is become” homophonic
• “And He shall reign for ever and ever” polyphonic
• “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” homophonic
Hallelujah Chorus: contrasting textures

17. The Messiah
• At first
performance-
“Hallelujah
Chorus”-King
George II stood,
started tradition
that is still
practiced
• (pg. 114)

18. Messiah, “Hallelujah”
• https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=usvMU-bOXoU

21. by
Kristine Forney
Andrew Dell’Antonio
Joseph Machlis
Lecture Slides
THIRD EDITION
THE ENJOYMENT OF MUSIC
ESSENTIAL LISTENING EDITION
http://wwnorton.com/web/enjoyess2