Post by lovelace on Dec 14, 2006 9:36:57 GMT -5
Everybody loves Christmas music. Modern preferences for short songs and artificial methods of making music often simplify or mask the underlying beauty and power the message. Prior to electric amplification, sound systems, synthesizers, and other modern methods, music was made on instruments made from natural materials. The song was delivered solely through the technique and power of the natural voice, no lip sync back then. I’d like to point to one of my all time favorites in this devotional. There won’t be any scripture at the end and it should be obvious why.
At a concert hall in London in 1742, the bass singers thundered out their part like the deep rolling of the ocean, countered with a reply by the tenors and baritones like the sweep of the land above the sea. The tenors and baritones are answered by the contraltos and mezzo sopranos like the wind rushing across the earth and they in turn, answered by the sopranos like the stars high in the heavens. The words they sing- “For the LORD God omnipotent reigneth!” The orchestra responds, the stirring strings of the violins, viola, cello, bass are accompanied by the thunder of timpani and cybals and punctuated by the trumpets and brass. Standing in reverent respect for music worshiping and exalting the King of Kings is the monarch of one of the most powerful empires of the time, King George II. That tradition holds to this day. This particular portion of this composition, a piece originally written like an opera, is only at the end of the second act. Of the scenes, the lyrics are-
Act 1
Scene 2- (tenor)
Isaiah 40:1-3
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God; speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem; and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplishèd, that her iniquity is pardoned.
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Scene 4- (chorus)
Isaiah 40:5
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealèd, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
Scene 12- (chorus)
Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be callèd Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
Scene 18- (soprano)
Zechariah 9:9, 10
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy king cometh unto thee. He is the righteous Saviour, and He shall speak peace unto the heathen.
Act 2
Scene 40- (bass)
Psalm 2:1, 2
Why do the nations so furiously rage together? [and] why do the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth rise up, and the rulers take consel together against the Lord, and against His Anointed.
Scene 44- (chorus)
Revelation 19:6; 11:15; 19:16
HALLELUJAH! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ: and He shall reign for ever and ever.
KING OF KINGS, and LORD OF LORDS, HALLELUJAH!
Act 3
Scene 53-(chorus)
Revelation 5:12, 13
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by His blood, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Blessing and honour, glory and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. Amen.
This is probably the most famous oratorio of all time, written by George Frederic Handel, MESSIAH. Originally conceived as a sacred oratorio that presented the major tenets of the Christian faith, it was first performed in Dublin as a charity event at Easter and wasn’t regarded as Handel’s greatest work until the last years of his life. Often we are used by God at our lowest points, when we are most open to His will and guidance. Handel was a misfit in his day. He suffered ridicule and scorn from the establishment most of his life. He was at his lowest point just after a stroke left him partially paralyzed. Inspired by faith in God, Handel retreated to his house with a copy of the libretto written by Charles Jennens which used many verses of the KJV. Pouring through the verses of the KJV libretto and flowing from Handel’s pen onto the paper, MESSIAH was written in about 24 days. Handel frequently worked long hours and often didn’t touch meals brought to him while he wrote the music for MESSIAH. After the first performances of MESSIAH, Handel’s lot improved quite a bit and at a performance in 1759, Handel said "Not from me - but from Heaven- comes all." Handel died later that year. He had stated to his friends that he desired to depart the earth on the same day as Christ’s resurrection. On 13 April, 1759, Good Friday, he bid his friends goodbye and joined the heavenly oratorio on Holy Saturday, 14 April, 1759.
At our lowest point, when we feel least useful, a total failure, is the time to look to God for His greatest deeds in our lives. He took a partially paralyzed, scorned, overweight composer and through him came the most stirring sacred music of all time, MESSIAH. What is He going to do through YOUR life?
gfhandel.org/messiah.htm
www3.telus.net/st_simons/cr9304.htm
www.antipas.org/handel/midipage.html
At a concert hall in London in 1742, the bass singers thundered out their part like the deep rolling of the ocean, countered with a reply by the tenors and baritones like the sweep of the land above the sea. The tenors and baritones are answered by the contraltos and mezzo sopranos like the wind rushing across the earth and they in turn, answered by the sopranos like the stars high in the heavens. The words they sing- “For the LORD God omnipotent reigneth!” The orchestra responds, the stirring strings of the violins, viola, cello, bass are accompanied by the thunder of timpani and cybals and punctuated by the trumpets and brass. Standing in reverent respect for music worshiping and exalting the King of Kings is the monarch of one of the most powerful empires of the time, King George II. That tradition holds to this day. This particular portion of this composition, a piece originally written like an opera, is only at the end of the second act. Of the scenes, the lyrics are-
Act 1
Scene 2- (tenor)
Isaiah 40:1-3
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God; speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem; and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplishèd, that her iniquity is pardoned.
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Scene 4- (chorus)
Isaiah 40:5
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealèd, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
Scene 12- (chorus)
Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be callèd Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
Scene 18- (soprano)
Zechariah 9:9, 10
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy king cometh unto thee. He is the righteous Saviour, and He shall speak peace unto the heathen.
Act 2
Scene 40- (bass)
Psalm 2:1, 2
Why do the nations so furiously rage together? [and] why do the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth rise up, and the rulers take consel together against the Lord, and against His Anointed.
Scene 44- (chorus)
Revelation 19:6; 11:15; 19:16
HALLELUJAH! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ: and He shall reign for ever and ever.
KING OF KINGS, and LORD OF LORDS, HALLELUJAH!
Act 3
Scene 53-(chorus)
Revelation 5:12, 13
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by His blood, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Blessing and honour, glory and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. Amen.
This is probably the most famous oratorio of all time, written by George Frederic Handel, MESSIAH. Originally conceived as a sacred oratorio that presented the major tenets of the Christian faith, it was first performed in Dublin as a charity event at Easter and wasn’t regarded as Handel’s greatest work until the last years of his life. Often we are used by God at our lowest points, when we are most open to His will and guidance. Handel was a misfit in his day. He suffered ridicule and scorn from the establishment most of his life. He was at his lowest point just after a stroke left him partially paralyzed. Inspired by faith in God, Handel retreated to his house with a copy of the libretto written by Charles Jennens which used many verses of the KJV. Pouring through the verses of the KJV libretto and flowing from Handel’s pen onto the paper, MESSIAH was written in about 24 days. Handel frequently worked long hours and often didn’t touch meals brought to him while he wrote the music for MESSIAH. After the first performances of MESSIAH, Handel’s lot improved quite a bit and at a performance in 1759, Handel said "Not from me - but from Heaven- comes all." Handel died later that year. He had stated to his friends that he desired to depart the earth on the same day as Christ’s resurrection. On 13 April, 1759, Good Friday, he bid his friends goodbye and joined the heavenly oratorio on Holy Saturday, 14 April, 1759.
At our lowest point, when we feel least useful, a total failure, is the time to look to God for His greatest deeds in our lives. He took a partially paralyzed, scorned, overweight composer and through him came the most stirring sacred music of all time, MESSIAH. What is He going to do through YOUR life?
gfhandel.org/messiah.htm
www3.telus.net/st_simons/cr9304.htm
www.antipas.org/handel/midipage.html