G. F. Handel: Messiah HWV 56 (fantastic performance)

My dad would listen to Handel's Messiah every year at Christmas. ...This Christmas, I don't have him. I am listening to this because I miss him. He served as a pastor for at least the 39 years of my life and, while fighting pancreatic cancer, he was diagnosed with 6 months and lived 3 years instead. Every visit to the VA and the doctors and the MRI and the surgery and the chemo... he used any strength he had to ask everyone, "Do you know Jesus? How is your relationship with Jesus?" He reached out to nurses, orderlies, staff... even as he had to use a rollator to get around, he still had my mom take him to Market Square and he would sit and share the Word of God with whatever strength he had right until the end. God, make me as bold. May God bring you peace in this difficult time. Know He is there. He has not forsaken you. We just must be still and quiet enough to hear Him. He is there to comfort like nothing you have ever known. Sometimes we have to get rid of distractions in our lives so we can hear Him.

I have listened to this performance several times but this year I needed it more than ever. Having terminal cancer in the time of Covid I sometimes wonder what will get me first, but this video makes me much more accepting of whatever God has planned for me. I am grateful to YouTube for making wondrous musical experiences like this as close as my computer, and I plan on leaving this world fulfilled.

He wrote this in his worst moments in life, he was already half paralysed.He decided to write oratorios, and expressed his deepest feelings in them.

This piece is made in heaven

Part the First 0:00:06 Sinfony. Grave; Allegro moderato 0:02:58 Comfort ye (Accompagnato, Tenoro). Larghetto e piano 0:05:43 Ev`ry valley shall be exalted (Aria, Tenoro). Andante 0:08:49 And the glory of the Lord (Chorus). Allegro; Adagio 0:11:10 Thus saith the Lord (Accompagnato, Basso). Recitativo 0:12:18 But who may abide (Aria, Alto). Larghetto; Prestissimo; Adagio 0:16:03 And He shall purify (Chorus). Allegro 0:18:12 Behold, a virgin shall conceive (Recitativo, Alto). 0:18:36 O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion (Aria, Alto). Andante 0:21:51 O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion (Chorus). 0:23:31 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth (Accompagnato, Basso). Andante larghetto 0:25:39 The people that walked in darkness (Aria, Basso). Larghetto 0:29:25 For unto us a child is born (Chorus). Andante allegro 0:33:26 Pifa. Larghetto e mezzo piano 0:35:36 There where shepherds (Recitativo, Accompagnato; Soprano). Andante; Allegro 0:36:58 Glory to god in the highest (Chorus). Allegro 0:39:00 Rejoice greatly (Aria, Soprano). Allegro 0:43:00 Then shall the eyes of the blind (Recitativo, Alto). [latter version] 0:43:24 He shall feed his flock (Aria, Alto). Larghetto e piano [latter version] 0:47:26 His yoke is easy (Chorus). Allegro Part the Second 0:49:35 Behold the Lamb of God (Chorus). Largo 0:52:04 He was despised (Aria, Alto). Largo 1:00:40 Surely (Chorus). Largo e staccato 1:02:18 And with his stripes we are healed (Chorus). Alla breve, Moderato 1:03:48 All we like sheep have gone astray (Chorus). Allegro moderato; Adagio 1:07:37 All they that see Him (Accompagnato, Tenore). Larghetto 1:08:17 He trusted in God (Chorus). Allegro; Adagio 1:10:25 Thy rebuke hath broken His Heart (Accompagnato, Tenore). Largo 1:12:15 Behold, and see (Arioso, Tenore). Largo e piano 1:13:26 He was cut off (Accompagnato, Tenore). Recitativo 1:13:44 But Thou didst not leave His soul in Hell (Aria, Tenore). Andante larghetto 1:15:47 lift up your heads (Chorus). A tempo ordinario 1:19:10 Unto which of the angels (Recitativo, Tenore). 1:19:28 Let all the angels of God worship Him (Chorus). Allegro 1:20:48 Thou art gone up high (Aria, Alto). Allegro larghetto 1:23:45 The Lord gave the word (Chorus). Andante allegro 1:24:50 How beautiful are the feet of them (Aria, Soprano). Larghetto :_: Their sound is gone out (Chorus). A tempo ordinario [missing] 1:29:20 Why do the nations rage (Aria, Basso). Allegro 1:31:57 Let us break their bonds (Chorus). Allegro e staccato 1:33:34 He that dwelleth in heaven (Recitativo, Tenore). 1:33:46 Thou shall break them (Aria, Tenore). Andante 1:35:57 Hallelujah (Chorus). Allegro Part the Third 1:39:46 I know that my redeemer liveth (Aria, Soprano). Larghetto 1:45:10 Since by man came death (Chorus). Grave; Allegro 1:47:13 Behold, I tell you (Accompagnato, Basso). 1:47:49 The trumpet shall sound (Aria, Basso). Pomposo, ma non allegro; Adagio 1:55:30 Then shall be brought to pass (Recitativo, Alto). 1:44:45 O death, where is thy sting (Duetto; Alto, Tenore). Andante 1:57:17 But thanks be to God (Chorus). Andante; Adagio 1:59:13 If God is for us (Aria, Soprano). Larghetto; Adagio 2:03:25 Worthy is the Lamb (Chorus). Largo; Andante 2:04:43 Blessing and honour (Chorus). Larghetto; Adagio 2:06:38 Amen (Chorus). Allegro moderato; Adagio

Listening to Handel's Messiah is like receiving a grand tour through the Holy Scriptures, Mankind's fall, hope, deliverance, redemption and thankfulness. One never tires listening to, or singing it

The best modern performance of this work. I started singing Messiah in 1965 as a senior in high school as the soprano soloist. I continued on to sing in the concert choir at ASU in the later 60's. What a JOY to sing this wonderful work. Interestingly I knew who Jesus was through this music, but did not commit my life to HIM until 1983. I sang the Messiah every year with some group as I grew into maturity either as a soloist or in the choir. I know now at 76 He had been calling me through the music because I was not hearing any other way at the time. I still have the same score from high school which I cherish with all the markings over the years. I love to sing along even though my soprano voice has lost its height and flexibility but I can hear my voice as I sing along having memorized it all. What a JOY in my life to have this in my heart. Jesus is The Reason for The Season.

Collegium 1704 Baroque Orchestra & Collegium Vocale 1704 Vàclav Luks, Conductor Hana Blazikova - soprano Delphine Galou - alto Markus Brutscher - tenor Marlan Krejcik - bass L’abbaye de la Chaise-Dieu Auvergne, France April 27, 2011 - This performance is so good that it is practically impossible to find any imperfections.

I had my door opened while the6 tenor was singing and a small sparrow came near my door and sang his little heart out. I was so happy and blessed it never happened to me before!😄👌😇

My father was a college music professor and a music minister. He conducted this every Christmas. As a child ,watching him stand in front of choir and orchestra, was heroic. He’s been gone for 30 years, but I see him when I listen to this great work.

I can’t believe these people can play and sing for over 2 hours straight. Amazing!

I have heard this piece live every year since 1969 and this year can’t as I’m recovering from surgery. So I scanned YouTube for one I could watch as I listened and thank God found this sparkling gem. Stunning in its clarity and joyful pace. All four voices flawless and with personality. A right sized chorus. Thank you to all the artists, and to the business folks who enabled this.

For those interested the venue is L'Abbeye de la Chaise Dieu near Lavaudieu, France. The Abbey is a famous 14th Century church. In the concert you can see a tomb in the audience, which is a rare Papal tomb not in the Vatican, of Clement VI. Also note the mediaeval mural going round the wall near the altar showing a Danse Macarbe.

I am in tears every single time I hear this! This is perhaps the most beautiful rendition of Messiah by G.F. Handel that I have heard.

1st January 2024, listening to this sublime performance once again. Love and Joy to our world.

As now, I am an adult Black American, I reflect with unspeakable joy, my young teenage years living in a very tiny country town in MISSISSIPPI. Then being bussed, to a rare HBCU/AG-HIGH SCHOOL in another tiny country town in Mississippi, previously attended by my momma and aunt and uncle. As a High School student in the chior my LOVE of classical music only heightened. Music meant the world to me. I also played Tenor-Sax as an advid member of the band. I now play this for my 5 children. This was a fantastic performance!!! Eternally thankful for this artform.🥰🥰🥰🥰

I have been an avid listener to the Messiah for 63 years and have heard (and participated in) numerous performances. This is by far the best I have ever heard. The orchestra, chorus, soloists, are all first rate, and the interpretation is so lively and nuanced in many ways. It is the absolute best. A fantastic gem!

With all that is going on in the world, the evil that is mounting and manifesting itself, listening to Handel's Messiah brings me great peace and joy knowing that God is in control. He sent his Son to be the propitiator for Man. What a wonderful recording. Thank you so much for lifting my spirits in these troubling times. We know this all has a wonderful and incredible end that marks a new beginning for us. All thanks to the Prince of Peace and glory to God.

July 2022- I listen to the Messiah whenever I get discouraged. It is stunningly beautiful and uplifting. This rendition is particularly fine! Soloists and conductor all shine. Actually, every singer and instrumentalist is on point. Thank you for lifting me up to the heavens!

I am an Arab so my ears ought not to respond to western classic BUT THIS ONE is Awesome!! It's heavenly as our Messiah is.