The "Messiah" (HWV 56) is an English-language oratorio
composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel, with a
scriptural text compiled by Charles Jennens from the
King James Bible, and from the Psalms included with the
Book of Common Prayer (which are worded slightly
differently from their King James counterparts). It was
first performed in Dublin on 13 April 1742, and
received its London premiere nearly a year later. After
an initially modest public reception, the oratorio
gained in popularity, eve...(+)
The "Messiah" (HWV 56) is an English-language oratorio
composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel, with a
scriptural text compiled by Charles Jennens from the
King James Bible, and from the Psalms included with the
Book of Common Prayer (which are worded slightly
differently from their King James counterparts). It was
first performed in Dublin on 13 April 1742, and
received its London premiere nearly a year later. After
an initially modest public reception, the oratorio
gained in popularity, eventually becoming one of the
best-known and most frequently performed choral works
in Western music.
Handel's reputation in England, where he had lived
since 1713, had been established through his
compositions of Italian opera. He turned to English
oratorio in the 1730s, in response to changes in public
taste; Messiah was his sixth work in this genre.
Although its structure resembles that of conventional
opera, it is not in dramatic form; there are no
impersonations of characters and very little direct
speech. Instead, Jennens's text is an extended
reflection on Jesus Christ as Messiah, moving from the
prophetic phrases of Isaiah and others, through the
Incarnation, Passion and Resurrection of Christ to his
ultimate glorification in heaven.
Handel wrote Messiah for modest vocal and instrumental
forces, with optional settings for many of the
individual numbers. In the years after his death, the
work was adapted for performance on a much larger
scale, with giant orchestras and choirs. In other
efforts to update it, its orchestration was revised and
amplified by (among others) Mozart. In the late 20th
and early 21st centuries the trend has been towards
authenticity; most contemporary performances show a
greater fidelity towards Handel's original intentions,
although "big Messiah" productions continue to be
mounted.
"And he shall purify the sons of Levi" is a chorus from
Part 1 Scene 2 (No. 7) drawn from Quel fior che
alla'ride (July 1741), meaning that Jesus Christ shall
purify o the sons of Levi - These had been first the
leaders in degeneracy, the corrupters of the people by
their example and connivance. Actually Acts 6:7, "a
great company of the priests were obedient to the
faith." Barnabas also was a Levite. Acts 4:36. But more
largely, as Zion and Jerusalem are the titles for the
Christian Church, and Israel who believed was the true
Israel, so "the sons of" Levi are the true Levites, the
Apostles and their successors in the Christian
priesthood.
Although originally written for Opera, I created this
arrangement for Concert (Pedal) Harp and Woodwind
Quartet (Flute, Oboe, Bb Clarinet and Bassoon).
SHEET MUSIC