George Frideric Handel: Glory to God in the Highest
Messiah Part I
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
Glory to God! Glory to God in the highest,
And peace on earth.
Glory to God! Glory to God!
Glory to God in the highest,
And peace on earth.
Goodwill toward men.
Glory to God!
Glory to God in the highest,
And peace on earth.
Goodwill toward men.
Goodwill.
Glory to God!
Glory to God in the highest!
The Music
This bold chorus piece also introduces the trumpets in their great glory. The opening chorus phrase ‘Glory to God in the highest’ is striking and catches your attention from the get go. Handel also uses staggered entries and imitation to represent other lines. The mix of loud chorus and trumpet sections and quieter sections that utilise the lower voices, Glory to God is a bold piece that comes after two soprano solos. As the ‘angels’ begin to disappear near the end of the piece, Handel begins to the thin the texture until the work comes to its natural end.
Ⓒ Alex Burns
Happy Reading!
You might also enjoy… Project Messiah
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