1. Messiah

2.   Handel wrote his oratorio “Messiah” in 1741, after his stroke and London’s turn against his operas.  He wrote it in a miraculous 24 days; it is claimed that he was inspired of God in writing the music.  The libretto (lyrics) were taken out of the Bible, selected and arranged by a friend, Charles Jennings. “Messiah” Background

3.   “Messiah” includes an overture, 1 instrumental interlude, 15 recitatives, 16 arias, 20 choruses and 1 duet.  Unlike operas (and most oratorios) there are no characters in the oratorio; every word is quoted scripture from the Bible.  Early Hebrews: Messiah → a great king who would save them from their enemies Christians: Messiah → Jesus Christ  Handel’s “Messiah” includes songs about prophesies, the birth, teachings, suffering and death, resurrection, and triumphant return of the Messiah (Jesus Christ). “Messiah” Subject Matter

4.   Overture : Orchestra only, before story starts.  Recitative : Soloist(s) speak-singing, tells the story (usually followed by)  Aria : Soloist, expresses the “affect” or emotion of character in their situation  Chorus : Whole choir sings Song Types in Oratorios & Operas

5.   Handel sometimes used a technique in his music called word-painting. It means dramatizing the meaning of the words of a song by the way he wrote the music.  Examples:  Making the soloist sing high notes when the words talk about high things and vice versa.  Making the melody jagged when the words talk about “crooked” and smooth when they talk about “straight.”  Having the whole choir sing when the words express what a group is thinking. Word-Painting in Baroque Music

6.   Pastoral Symphony : Instrumental interlude that sets the scene of the countryside.  Recitative: “There were shepherds abiding in the field” Narrates the story of the angels appearing to the shepherds.  Chorus: “Glory to God in the highest” The choir acts the part of the angels singing their song. Pastoral Symphony, “There Were Shepherds,” “Glory to God”

7.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJjNpMEbjjw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJjNpMEbjjw  What is the tempo and affect of the Pastoral Symphony?  Which voice type is singing the recitative? Describe the action related in it.  How does Handel use word-painting in the chorus “Glory to God”? What is the affect portrayed?