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Bringing Order to the Christmas Chaos
There is a sense of grandeur in Messiah that period performance mavens miss.
George Frideric Handel
For the first time, in many a year, I’ve had George Frideric Handel ’s Messiah as part of my Christmas season listening. At this time of year, I’m all about the mid-century crooners all singing the same few songs. I’ll listen to “I’ll be Home for Christmas” and “White Christmas” as sung by Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Nat King Cole. Yet this year, Messiah made a comeback.
There are two recordings of Messiah that I subscribe to. The first is the audacious re-orchestration by Sir Eugen Goosens. The Goosens version uses a full modern orchestra. The effect is grotesque but I enjoy the spectacle. Conductor Thomas Beecham’s recording is the only one I know of.
Video:
Handel's Messiah (orch Goossens): Hallelujah
The recording I actually listen to is conducted by Andrew Davis and features big-name opera singers such as Samuel Ramey and Kathleen Battle. The Davis version uses modern instruments and performance practices. This is how I prefer Messiah.
Video:
Handel's Messiah (Davis cond.)
I tried out a few of the more “accurate” versions. I absolutely hate them. They treat Handel as if he were a chamber musician. Handel was a man of the theater. His fame was built on composing Italian Opera. When given the resources, he went as big as possible with his Royal Fireworks Music. He used 24 oboes, for crying out loud.
There is a sense of grandeur in Messiah that period performance mavens miss. Their delicate and precious musicianship drives me crazy.
The Messiah's " Christmas " section is largely drawn from the Old Testament prophets. The opening recitative and aria for tenor are taken from Isaiah Chapter 40 as is the first chorus.
“Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Ev’ry valley shall be exalted, and ev’ry mountain and hill made low: the crooked straight and the rough places plain:
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.”
This text is all about bringing order out of chaos. The coming one will bring order to the earth. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that this is one of the main tenets of the Christmas season. Peace on Earth is about order. Chaos and peace don’t mix.
The Christmas season is often a chaotic time with crowded shopping, unholy combinations of family, and Christmas parties that get a bit too festive.I could use a bit of order and that’s what Messiah gave to me this year.
Here's something you might be interested in.
Bringing Order to the Christmas Chaos
There is a sense of grandeur in Messiah that period performance mavens miss.
Bringing Order to the Christmas Chaos
There is a sense of grandeur in Messiah that period performance mavens miss.
George Frideric Handel
For the first time, in many a year, I’ve had George Frideric Handel ’s Messiah as part of my Christmas season listening. At this time of year, I’m all about the mid-century crooners all singing the same few songs. I’ll listen to “I’ll be Home for Christmas” and “White Christmas” as sung by Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Nat King Cole. Yet this year, Messiah made a comeback.
There are two recordings of Messiah that I subscribe to. The first is the audacious re-orchestration by Sir Eugen Goosens. The Goosens version uses a full modern orchestra. The effect is grotesque but I enjoy the spectacle. Conductor Thomas Beecham’s recording is the only one I know of.
Video:
Handel's Messiah (orch Goossens): Hallelujah
The recording I actually listen to is conducted by Andrew Davis and features big-name opera singers such as Samuel Ramey and Kathleen Battle. The Davis version uses modern instruments and performance practices. This is how I prefer Messiah.
Video:
Handel's Messiah (Davis cond.)
I tried out a few of the more “accurate” versions. I absolutely hate them. They treat Handel as if he were a chamber musician. Handel was a man of the theater. His fame was built on composing Italian Opera. When given the resources, he went as big as possible with his Royal Fireworks Music. He used 24 oboes, for crying out loud.
There is a sense of grandeur in Messiah that period performance mavens miss. Their delicate and precious musicianship drives me crazy.
The Messiah's " Christmas " section is largely drawn from the Old Testament prophets. The opening recitative and aria for tenor are taken from Isaiah Chapter 40 as is the first chorus.
“Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Ev’ry valley shall be exalted, and ev’ry mountain and hill made low: the crooked straight and the rough places plain:
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.”
This text is all about bringing order out of chaos. The coming one will bring order to the earth. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that this is one of the main tenets of the Christmas season. Peace on Earth is about order. Chaos and peace don’t mix.
The Christmas season is often a chaotic time with crowded shopping, unholy combinations of family, and Christmas parties that get a bit too festive.I could use a bit of order and that’s what Messiah gave to me this year.
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