1. Handel – And the Glory of the Lord (Messiah)

2. The essay question - Texture  The texture in most of the piece is? homophonic (all parts moving together)  Some bits are polyphonic (parts weaving in and out of each other)  Handel also uses imitation and canon  The texture for the final cadence is Homophonic

3. The essay question - Tempo  The piece is marked ‘Allegro’ (quick and lively) giving it a joyful mood.  It’s in 3/4 time but in places it feels like it’s in 2/4 because Handel uses hemiolas (a rhythmic device).

4. The essay question - Dynamics  The dynamics are… Terraced  The dynamics get louder when… More voices and instruments are playing  The piece starts… Quietly with an orchestral introduction  The piece ends with… a dramatic rest, followed by a loud cadence

5. The essay question - Melody  There are 4 main melodies in this piece:  ‘And the Glory of the Lord’ (which is syllabic)  ‘Shall be revealed’ (which is melismatic and uses a sequence)  ‘And all Flesh’  ‘for the mouth’ (which is syllabic and is made up of repeated As)

6. The essay question - Instruments  Four voice parts  Soprano  Alto  Tenor  Bass  Baroque orchestra  Violins, violas, cellos, basses, oboes, bassoons, tumpets and timpani.  Basso continuo – chamber organ and cello

7. Essay question - Harmony  Most of this piece is in which key? A Major (which gives it a joyful feel)  It modulates to E Major twice and B Major once (all major keys – joyful)  Handel uses prefect cadences at the end of each section  At the end, Handel uses a plagal cadence

8. General background…  Handel was a composer from which era? (baroque 1600 -1750)  Handel was Born in? Germany, in the year… 1685  Moved to England and became friendly with the Royal Family  Wrote the Messiah in… 1741

9. General background…  And the Glory of the Lord is taken from the ‘Messiah’  Which is???  An oratorio!  A religious version of an opera  Bible story  No acting, scenery or costumes  Sung in churches or concert halls

10. General background…  The Messiah has three main sections  And the Glory of the Lord… is a chorus taken from the first section