HALLELUJAH, FROM MESSIAH

Music: George Frideric Handel
Text: Based on Scripture

George Friderc Handel (1685–1759) wrote his beloved oratorio Messiah in a three-week burst of intense activity during the fall of 1741. The first part of the oratorio foretells the Savior’s coming, while the last part focuses on the divine, eternal blessings made available to humankind through His sacrifice. The second part, which focuses on Christ’s earthly mission, culminates in the incomparable “Hallelujah,” one of the most recognizable and beloved pieces in the choral/orchestral canon. Though in popular culture the “Hallelujah” chorus has come to signify any kind of jubilant celebration, in Handel’s Messiah it is specifically a celebration of Christ’s ultimate sovereignty over earthly kings and lords. In this performance at the Christmas concert, Handel’s celebratory fanfares are augmented by the Gabriel Trumpet Ensemble and the full strength of the Conference Center organ.