George Frideric Handel: How Beautiful are the Feet
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
How beautiful are the feet
Of them that preach
The gospel of peace
How beautiful are the feet
How beautiful are the feet
Of them that preach
The gospel of peace
How beautiful are the feet
Of them that preach
The gospel of peace
And bring glad tidings
And bring glad tidings
Glad tidings of good things
And bring glad tidings
Glad tidings of good things
And bring glad tidings
Glad tidings of good things
Glad tidings of good things
The Music
Set originally as a duet for two altos, chorus and orchestra, How Beautiful are the Feet was re-written for solo alto. The lilting 12/8 time adds to the yearning of the words, first written by Isaiah. This beautiful solo shows Handel’s masterful communication between the vocalist and orchestra, with replicated themes sounding across the two parties. The lilting theme in the orchestra part is led by the violins, who interplay with the alto, who mimics the melody. The soft solo comes to a quiet end as the orchestra play the theme one last time.
Ⓒ Alex Burns
Happy Reading!
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