George Frideric Handel: He Was Despised
Messiah Part II
Context
George Frideric Handel’s Messiah has remained one of the composer’s most beloved works. Incredibly, Handel completed this 260-page oratorio in just 24 days during the summer of 1741. The scriptural text was compiled by Charles Jennens, with the source being the King James Bible. The first performance of Messiah was on 13th April 1742, to celebrate Easter.
Initially the oratorio garnered a lukewarm reception from audiences, however the work began to gain popularity over some years, with it now being the go-to work to perform during the Easter period. During this new Messiah exploration on Classicalexburns, blogs will be posted regularly to cover all of the pieces involved in making up this much-loved oratorio.
The Lyrics
He was despised
Despised and rejected
Rejected of men
A man of sorrows
A man of sorrows
And acquainted with grief
A man of sorrows
And acquainted with grief
He was despised
Rejected
He was despised
Despised and rejected of men
A man of sorrows
And acquainted with grief
A man of sorrows
And acquainted with grief
He was despised
Rejected
A man of sorrows
And acquainted with grief
And acquainted with grief
A man of sorrows
And acquainted with grief
He gave His back to the smiters
He gave His back to the smiters
And His cheeks to them
That plucked off His hair
And His cheeks to them
That plucked off His hair
And His cheeks to them
That plucked off His hair
He hid not His face
From shame and spitting
He hid not His face
From shame
From shame
He hid not His face
From shame
From shame and spitting
He was despised
Despised and rejected
Rejected of men
A man of sorrows
A man of sorrows
And acquainted with grief
A man of sorrows
And acquainted with grief
He was despised
Rejected
He was despised
Despised and rejected of men
A man of sorrows
And acquainted with grief
A man of sorrows
And acquainted with grief
He was despised
Rejected
A man of sorrows
And acquainted with grief
And acquainted with grief
A man of sorrows
And acquainted with grief
(Isaiah 53:3)
The Music
This air, usually sung by an alto, is taken from the words of Isaiah talking about the Man of Sorrows. Out of all of the separate movements in all three parts of the Messiah, He Was Despised is by far the longest in duration. The opening da capo aria laments and Handel breaks up certain words to create a sighing effect. The soft violin interludes have been interpreted as “Christ’s abandonment”. A shift into C minor starts the central section which completely changes character.
A more agitated voice paired with a pulsating orchestral accompaniment creates intensity and drama within the music. Carefully placed rests creates an interesting atmosphere, with the alto becoming more intense as this section goes on. An extended orchestral interlude follows which is warm in texture. A refrain of the opening theme is played through, with the voice really acting out the words of the aria. This central aria concludes quietly with an orchestral resolution.
Ⓒ Alex Burns
Happy Reading!
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