December 3, 2009 8:20 AM
Advent music- Handel's Messian
If you've never gotten into classical music, I can't think if a better way to start than Handel's Messiah 
Messiah is based on the foretelling of the life of Jesus, his birth, death, and resurrection. It is composed entirely of Scripture. You can read the specific scriptures here.
Handel composed Messiah in only 21 days, which leads me to think that Divine Intervention was involved. Handel is said to have seen visions of his subject matter. He said of the Hallelujah Chorus: "I saw Heaven opened and the host of it worshiping the Glory of God."
Believe me, if you listen to this glorious music - especially knowing the scriptures themselves - you will be transported too.
When you start these traditions early, they become a rich part of your family life. My kids often choose this themselves and sing along. In fact, some of us once went to a Messiah Sing-Along, which was great fun. If you're interested look for one near you. The hall or church is filled with Messiah nuts, all with scores in hand - basses, tenors, altos and sopranos grouped together. As each piece is played, people sing the parts they know. It is really cool.
The tradition is that all rise for The Hallelujah Chorus, which is the part celebrating Christ's resurrection.
I would really love to hear if anyone adds this to their preparations for Christmas and the effect you see on your family. I wasn't brought up with this sort of stuff myself, but I've found it has added to the richness and meaning of our family celebration of Christ's birth and it began a real appreciation for classical music which affected my children in an unexpected way: filled with good things musically, they never really got involved with objectionable music.
This is definitely a tradition you will want to begin in your family.
Posted in Advent, Christmas, Music | Permalink
Comments
I love classical music and while it may sound odd, I think it's very similar to a lot of techno. I listen to classical quite often but depending on my task, I will often listen to techno as well. If I'm trying to relax and get work done I will listen to classical. But, if I'm writing code (programming code) I will listen to techno. It seems to help me crunch the work out.
Posted by: Lawrence @ CRB | December 3, 2009 10:05 AM
I was in chorus in high school. Each year the chorus would end the holiday performance with the Hallelujah Chorus and all alumni in the audience were invited to join in on stage. It was always inspirational.
My senior year we performed "Oh Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion" to this day, I can still sing it (although not very well).
I purchased Sir Thomas Beecham's recording some years ago and still love it. Buyer beware though, this review I said pretty much says it all.
"The recording, although 40 years old, is vivid and entirely listenable. Make no mistake: in the hands of Beecham, this is no baroque piece. It is aggressively romantic, powerful, unrestrained, soaring, emotional, even delirious."
Thanks for reminding me - it gets played this weekend.
Posted by: devo101 | December 3, 2009 11:18 AM
You would get along famously with my parents! They are both extremely gifted vocalists (my dad is an instrumentalist as well) and raised us on classical music.
I think you would love Christmas with the Academy, conducted by Sir Neville Mariner. It is my most favorite Christmas recording, and my son is now loving it too.
Posted by: Erin | December 3, 2009 1:04 PM
My dad used to join a group every year to sing the Messiah. I loved going to the practices and hearing the music over and over. Recently my mom passed on the music my dad would use and I was reminded again of one of the things I loved about Christmas time.
Posted by: j dan | December 3, 2009 9:06 PM
I grew up playing The Messiah in an orchestra for the choir in my local city. It carries such deep memories for me and was really the first time I heard the gospel. When I finally became a Christian, I could not stop singing "I Know that My Redeemer Lives" and it is still a song that appears on my heart when I am feeling particularly worshipful. What an amazing gift to humankind is The Messiah.
My children have really appreciated listening to the Messiah more after listening to the Classical Kid's CD called "Hallelujah Handel".
Did you know that the reason people stand during the Hallelujah chorus is because the first time it was performed in England, King George 11 stood, presumably because he was so moved by it. Because the King stood, everyone else had to stand as well, and it began a tradition that remains to this day.....and what a great tradition it is!!
Posted by: Tara | December 4, 2009 9:28 AM
We already have this one. Just as a good (home) library should have certain classic pieces of literature, a good music collections should have the Messiah. We love it.
There is a local, free performance of the Messiah this Sunday afternoon by a local Mozart Club and we hope to attend.
Additionally, Barbara, since you are so well versed in music, I'd love to see a list of other pieces of music that well-rounded people should own. I have references for building a good literary library; I like to build the same, musically.
Posted by: von | December 4, 2009 2:38 PM
the messiah is one of my very favorite things about Christmas! we are using "handel's messiah family advent reader" this year--includes a cd. you play a selection each day, and read the scripture/background behind. this year my husband and i went to see a local chorale sing the messiah, and there were 5 amish people in the choir--a beautiful site of unity and scripture focus. loved it.
you are appreciated barbara!
jodi in pa
Posted by: jodi | December 4, 2009 6:02 PM
Barbara, We can't wait until advent just so we can play "Messiah" without feeling like we are jumping the gun on Christmas! It is one of our favorites (well...most of us, anyway!), and it plays nearly every day during advent.
I have listened to it so often over the years that I cannot any longer hear any of the scriptures used in it without singing that scripture in my head! Recently we went to a wedding, and the stained glass window at the front of the church had "Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Prince of Peace" in the pattern. Sure enough, I couldn't read it, but had to sing it. To my husband's relief, I sang it to myself!
Posted by: Patty | December 4, 2009 10:54 PM
