Handel's Young Messiah Author:Don Hart From the Classic Oratorio Arranged for Contemporary Choir, Soloists and Orchestra. — "I think I did see all Heaven before me, and the great God Himself." — Handel was so moved when composing the "Hallelujah Chorus" that he penned these words in his journal. And for the past 250 years this incredible piece of music has inspired audiences, filling ... more »their hearts with joy, comfort, passion and peace.
This is the book of music a member of a choir would hold and read from while singing the pieces. It did not come with a supplementary CD, though those were available. It contains the music with words for these pieces:
* Overture
* And The Glory Of The Lord
* Comfort Ye My People
* Every Valley Shall Be Exalted
* O Thou That Tellest
* For Unto Us A Child Is Born
* Glory To God
* He Shall Feed His Flock
* He Was Despised
* Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs
* Behold The Lamb Of God
* How Beautiful Are The Feet
* Lift Up Your Heads
* I Know That My Redeemer Liveth
* The Trumpet Shall Sound
* Worthy Is The Lamb
* Hallelujah Chorus
Forword:
Handel's "Messiah" is surely one of the most-loved choral works of all time. To tamper with "Messiah" seems to court danger. After all, can it really be improved upon?
On the other hand, it appears that there is a new generation who may not willingly sit down to hear the exuberance of "For Unto Us A Child Is Born", the pathos of "Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs", the energy of "And The Glory Of The Lord", or the tenderness of "Behold The Lamb Of God".
If Handel were alive today... No, he probably would not have made the exact changes you find in these pages. But Handel certainly felt free, as did most Baroque composers, to "update" tunes from his own and earlier centuries.
"Handel's Young Messiah" was originally conceived as an "artist" oriented event, but in listening we felt this was something that ought to be brought to the church. What you hold in your hands in this choral version is a printing of that recording. (We did return "Lift Up Your Heads" and "Behold The Lamb Of God" to their original choral form). We have sought to maintain the integrity of the choral parts as well as Handel's indomitable spirit in the accompaniment.
Young listeners, particularly those who have not been exposed to Messiah or to classical music in general, will find this more accessible to their ears. Older listeners may find a freshness here, and know that this is not intended to replace the original.