Some thoughts on why Handel's Messiah at Christmas is so compelling

American Thinker ^ | 12/25/2022 | Monica Showalter

[Conan the Librarian]

The main problem is that the Hallelujah Chorus is an Easter song. It’s from the Easter section of the Messiah.

There are so many great Christmas songs in the Christmas part of the Messiah that should be sung instead.

[chajin]

As someone who has both sung in and conducted numerous performances of the "Hallelujah Chorus," Messiah has to be taken as a whole; otherwise the context of the chorus is lost.

Having said that, my personal favorite of the whole oratorio is its finale, Worthy is the Lamb; the Amen fugal chorus brings me to tears, for it is when, as Eric Liddell put it, I feel His pleasure.

[Lee N. Field]

Some thoughts on why Handel's Messiah at Christmas is so compelling

Because the words are, all and only, scripture.

[D_Idaho]

My favorite part: “And He shall reign forever and ever. Hallelujah, hallelujah!”

Merry Christmas, Free Republic.

[healy61]

I joined a chorus in high school for the presentation of Messiah, and can still sing my bass line after 50 years. I recall the Halleluiah Chorus also performed in a high school assembly. Mrs. Trebelcock stood, and we took her cue, learning a lesson that day. Teachers taught a lot.

[Savage Beast]

Some of my most happy memories are of decorating the Christmas tree, while listening to the Messiah, tasting sherry, surrounded by children, family, and friends, gazing out the window at the beautiful Intracoastal Waterway. I have had many happy experiences. Those are some of the happiest.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: There are so many great Christmas songs in the Christmas part of the Messiah that should be sung instead.

Yes, like the part that says “... For Unto Us a Child is Born, Unto Us, a Son is Given” ( Isaiah 9:6 )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkdyNUYeuHA

[SunkenCiv]

On Saturday, October 30, 2010, the Opera Company of Philadelphia brought together over 650 choristers from 28 participating organizations to perform one of the Knight Foundation's "Random Acts of Culture" at Macy's in Center City Philadelphia. Accompanied by the Wanamaker Organ - the world's largest pipe organ - the OCP Chorus and throngs of singers from the community infiltrated the store as shoppers, and burst into a pop-up rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's "Messiah" at 12 noon, to the delight of surprised shoppers. This event is one of 1,000 "Random Acts of Culture" to be funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation over the next three years. The initiative transports the classical arts out of the concert halls and opera houses and into our communities to enrich our everyday lives. To learn more about this program and view more events, visit http://www.randomactsofculture.org. The Opera Company thanks Macy's and the Friends of the Wanamaker Organ (http://www.wanamakerorgan.com) for their partnership, as well as Organ Music Director Peter Conte and Fred Haas, accompanists; OCP Chorus Master Elizabeth Braden, conductor; and Sound Engineer James R. Stemke.

Opera Company of Philadelphia "Hallelujah!" Random Act of Culture
Opera Philadelphia | 10.5K subscribers | 9,550,058 views | November 1, 2010

[Savage Beast]

On long drives, my grandchildren and I take turns selecting music to play. A huge variety comes up, from heavy metal, to Japanese pop, and everything else. They surprise me sometimes with popular music from the 1950s, '60s, et al. I had no idea they knew who Bing Crosby was! I love learning the kind of music they like; it helps me understand them.

But my turn always gravitates to music of the highest standards, and Handel's music is regularly among it.

After experimentaling with everything else, the children too tend to gravitate to music of the highest standard.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE! AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! Being sapiophilic, I naturally married an extremely intelligent wife. Our children have always been exposed to highly intellectual experiences. My grandson, fourteen years old, read Kafka's Metamorphosis, something I have never been able to understand, and explained it to me. Children love to have their intellects challenged.

I had to work very hard in college and graduate school. I was afraid not to. I also worked very hard until I retired. When I retired, at age 53, I was tired of working hard and especially of thinking hard. What was the first thing I did? I enrolled as a full time freshman college student, taking a full freshman load. To my amazement--I had learned to love studying! I worked as hard as I've ever worked--demanded and made all A's. I never stopped studying and working hard. I love it. I studied everything from computers, geology, genetics, French, German, music, martial arts, horseback riding, Oriental mysticism...what am I leaving out? And I took my family and all the children on many, many long trips all over the world, hired expert guides--and they paid attention. In the many photos, the children are on the front row paying careful attention. My children are absolutely fabulous. Sweet, kind, truthful--wonderful in every way. I have been so blessed, and I look forward to even greater blessings in the life to come. We all can.

[Rob_Henry]

It’s a masterpiece.

[Captain Compassion]

Anything better?

Bach - Christmas Oratorio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98UjjwzJBFE&t=4191s