HANDEL’S “MESSIAH”: An Unschooled Musician’s Perspective

A little bit of history here: back in September of 1741 –the “baroque era” to the schooled musician — a genius composer named Georg Frederic Handel wrote a set of music –an “oratorio”to the learned — entitled “Messiah”.

Apart from acquiring some head knowledge, what is the significance of that little piece of history to our busy lives today – most especially to the modern musician? Why talk about “Handel’s Messiah” when we already have the future classic “Disney’s Frozen”? Why a bland “oratorio” when we have animation — in full 3D and in IMAX?

An oratorio could be defined as a musicale without the works – no costume changes, no loud band, no bright moving lights, and no stage design. The absence of these external enhancements would require the songs and the narrative in an oratorio to be interesting enough for people to watch, like, and then remember it. Handel’s Messiah was not only watched and loved, but, after almost 300 years since it was written, it is most certainly remembered. Restaged, replayed, revised, and reproduced as well.

Traditionally, churches of today recapture Handel’s Messiah in the form of a Christmas or an Easter presentation, where all the songs in it speak of one message: Jesus the Messiah. The whole body of work is divided into 3 scenes: The Prophecy, The Passion, and The Promise. The whole lot would take about 3 hours to perform — which is quite a long program in today’s standard — therefore the churches’ usual practice, is to perform selected pieces on separate occasions.

World-renowned secular orchestras and choral groups perform Handel’s Messiah for the sheer beauty of its music and at the same time celebrate Handel’s genius, artistry, and creativity, where even his contemporaries like Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven consider him the composer’s composer.

One particular song in Handel’s Messiah that stands out is the ubiquitous “Hallelujah Chorus”. The excitement and conviction in its melodies and harmonies cannot escape even the most indifferent listener in the world. That chorus is oftentimes used in movies and advertisements – usually played to enhance a joyful or miraculous expression or a eureka moment. That is the strength of Handel’s songs — again, after almost 300 years. When his music is being heard today – at Carnegie Hall or on a makeshift wooden riser at the remotest part of the world — the beauty of the music and the good message is being shared.

Songs in general, take on lives of their own after being written. Some songs are forgotten after 3 days, while others live on after 2 or 3 centuries. Musical techniques and structures in “Messiah” have been directly or indirectly copied and recycled through the centuries by musicians who followed Handel. The life of “Frozen”, on the other hand, remains to be seen, as it needs at least a few more years to prove its transcendence.

A little bit of prophecy: By September of 2341 –the “future pop era” to the schooled musician — a writer would dictate words from his thoughts straight to his holographic tablet to write about Georg Frederic Handel’s set of music – an oratorio, I mean — entitled “Messiah”.

Take a glimpse of Georg Frederic Handel’s music on December 6, 2014 at the SM Cinema One, as the New Life Sounds Choir of Cebu collaborate with Coro Cantabile of Manila, in a concert dubbed as “Handel’s Messiah” a Christmas Concert with Sharon Abesamis. This concert, organized by CURE Foundation, is for the benefit of “Rancho ni Cristo” a shelter for abused children. (H. G. Cang.)