History AwesomeMusic / GeorgeFredericHandel

** The ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH3T6YwwU9s Messiah]]'' is rightly regarded as not just Handel's greatest oratorio, but as the greatest oratorio ever composed, and is all the more ingenious for primarily using Old Testament verses to imply a narrative arc of Christ's conception, birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension, followed by the spreading of the gospel.[[note]] Broadly speaking, Part I covers Christ's birth and life; Part II, His death and resurrection; and Part III, the spreading of His word.[[/note]] In many Anglophone countries, it is near ubiquitous at Christmas as even the most modest choral society mounts a performance, sometimes with audience participation. All two and a half beautiful hours boast some of Handel's best music - the stark opening Sinfony, the buoyant "O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion", the celebratory "For unto us a child is born", the gentle Pifa, the chaotic "All we like sheep have gone astray" with its abrupt shift to minor key gloom for the coda, the heartfelt "I know that my Redeemer liveth", and the triumphant "Worthy is the Lamb" and final "Amen". But for pure, unadulterated awesome, there is one movement that rises far above the others: the "Hallelujah" chorus that closes Part II, an exaltation so grand that audiences traditionally stand for it.[[note]] Rumour holds that the tradition of standing for the "Hallelujah" chorus began when King George II stood during the London premiere, and the rest of the audience was obliged to do likewise, but there is no evidence that the king ever attended a performance of the oratorio. The first written accounts of the tradition date from 1756, a few years before Handel's death.[[/note]] "Hallelujah! Hallelujah! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. Hallelujah!"

** ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI0YOPoj4t0 Zadok the Priest]]'' doubles as Awesome Music of Crowning - it was written for the coronation of King George II of Great Britain and Ireland and Prince-Elector of Hannover in 1727, and has been played at every coronation of a British monarch since.[[note]]The relevant Bible verses were a key part of the ceremony, having been part of the English/British coronation liturgy since its original institution by St Dunstan in ''973'' for the coronation of [[UsefulNotes/TheHouseOfWessex Edward the Peaceful]]. But Handel's setting was so awesome it was decided to just keep his setting ever afterward.[[/note]] Particularly spellbinding moments include the extended orchestral opening built almost entirely of repeated ascending arpeggios over block chords that practically ''explodes'' with jubilation as the choir bellows the opening words, "''Zadok! The priest! And Nathan! The prophet! Annointed! Solomon! King!''" and the prominent use of melisma in both the choir and the orchestra in the "Amen, alleluia" sections of the concluding "God save the King!" segment; the two appearances of the bass voice melisma are the longest and most awesome of the bunch.

** ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI0YOPoj4t0 Zadok the Priest]]'' doubles as Awesome Music of Crowning - it was written for the coronation of King George II of Great Britain, Ireland, and Hannover in 1727, and has been played at every coronation of a British monarch since.[[note]] In fact, the Bible verses which provide the libretto for the anthem have been recited at the coronation of every English monarch since King Edgar back in the year ''973''![[/note]] Particularly spellbinding moments include the extended orchestral opening built almost entirely of repeated ascending arpeggios over block chords that practically ''explodes'' with jubilation as the choir bellows the opening words, "''Zadok! The priest! And Nathan! The prophet! Annointed! Solomon! King!''" and the prominent use of melisma in both the choir and the orchestra in the "Amen, alleluia" sections of the concluding "God save the King!" segment; the two appearances of the bass voice melisma are the longest and most awesome of the bunch.

Music/GeorgeFredericHandel was born in the same year as Music/JohannSebastianBach, and wrote music that is just as awesome.

** ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxgWzeEII0U Te Deum for the Victory of Dettingen]]'', written to commemorate [[RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething King George II's victory over the French in 1743]][[note]] (the last time a sitting British monarch led the army into battle)[[/note]], is an underrated piece of brilliance.

** The ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH3T6YwwU9s Messiah]]'' is rightly regarded as not just Handel's greatest oratorio, but as the greatest oratorio ever composed, and is all the more ingenious for primarily using Old Testament verses to imply a narrative arc of Christ's conception, birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension, followed by the spreading of the gospel.[[note]] Broadly speaking, Part I covers Christ's birth and life, Part II His death and resurrection, and Part III the spreading of His word.[[/note]] In many Anglophone countries, it is near ubiquitous at Christmas as even the most modest choral society mounts a performance, sometimes with audience participation. All two and a half beautiful hours boast some of Handel's best music - the stark opening Sinfony, the buoyant "O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion", the celebratory "For unto us a child is born", the gentle Pifa, the chaotic "All we like sheep have gone astray" with its abrupt shift to minor key gloom for the coda, the heartfelt "I know that my Redeemer liveth", and the triumphant "Worthy is the Lamb" and final "Amen". But for pure, unadulterated awesome, there is one movement that rises far above the others: the "Hallelujah" chorus that closes Part II, an exaltation so grand that audiences traditionally stand for it.[[note]] Rumour holds that the tradition of standing for the "Hallelujah" chorus began when King George II stood during the London premiere, and the rest of the audience was obliged to do likewise, but there is no evidence that the king ever attended a performance of the oratorio. The first written accounts of the tradition date from 1756, a few years before Handel's death.[[/note]] "Hallelujah! Hallelujah! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. Hallelujah!"

** The ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH3T6YwwU9s Messiah]]'' is rightly regarded as not just Handel's greatest oratorio, but as the greatest oratorio ever composed, and is all the more ingenious for primarily using Old Testament verses to imply a narrative arc of Christ's conception, birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension. In many Anglophone countries, it is near ubiquitous at Christmas as even the most modest choral society mounts a performance, sometimes with audience participation. All three beautiful acts boast some of Handel's best music - the stark opening Sinfony, the buoyant "O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion", the celebratory "For unto us a child is born", the gentle Pifa, the chaotic "All we like sheep have gone astray" with its abrupt shift to minor key gloom for the coda, the heartfelt "I know that my Redeemer liveth", and the triumphant "Worthy is the Lamb" and final "Amen". But for pure, unadulterated awesome, there is one movement that rises far above the others: the "Hallelujah" chorus, an exultation so grand that audiences traditionally stand for it.[[note]] Rumour holds that the tradition of standing for the "Hallelujah" chorus began when King George II stood during the London premiere, and the rest of the audience was obliged to do likewise, but there is no evidence that the king ever attended a performance of the oratorio. The first written accounts of the tradition date from 1756, a few years before Handel's death.[[/note]] "Hallelujah! Hallelujah! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. Hallelujah!"

** Handel's name is synonymous with the oratorio, the concert performance sibling of the opera, the text for which can be either religious or secular.
*** The ''Messiah'' is rightly regarded as not just Handel's greatest oratorio, but as the greatest oratorio ever composed. All three beautiful hours, but especially the "Hallelujah" chorus: "Hallelujah! Hallelujah! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. Hallelujah!" For added awesome, try it [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE in flash mob form]]! And for additional awesomeness, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp_RHnQ-jgU add the world's largest functioning organ and an undercover cast of opera singers]].
*** ''Israel in Egypt,'' particularly the second half in which the Israelites celebrate their deliverance from slavery in Egypt.
*** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TGKJ9MgCOQ "Arrival of the Queen of Sheba"]] from the oratorio ''Solomon'' is fantastic.
*** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-QV6XpzNMs "See, the Conqu'ring Hero Comes"]] from ''Judas Maccabeus'' is incredible.
** ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnn3TVBDtcA The Water Music]]'' is one of the most memorable compositions Handel wrote in his capacity as composer by royal appointment to Elector George of Hannover after he was crowned King George I of Great Britain and Ireland in 1714; it was originally composed for a boating party on the River Thames in 1717. By far the most famous movement is the merry "Alla hornpipe" from the suite for trumpets in D major (a seldom-performed version also appears in the suite for horns in F major), but there are plenty of other highlights, from dignified minuets in all three suites, to the graceful Air from the F major suite, to the lyrical Country Dance in the G major suite. King George liked the piece so much, he asked for it to be repeated in its entirety at least three times on its first performance.
** When George I died, his son and successor brought out some of the best in Handel.
*** ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI0YOPoj4t0 Zadok the Priest]]'' doubles as Awesome Music of Crowning - it was written for the coronation of King George II of Great Britain, Ireland, and Hannover in 1727, and has been played at every coronation of a British monarch since.[[note]] In fact, the Bible verses which provide the libretto for the anthem have been recited at the coronation of every English monarch since King Edgar back in the year ''973''![[/note]] Particularly spellbinding moments include the extended orchestral opening built almost entirely of repeated ascending arpeggios over block chords that practically ''explodes'' with jubilation as the choir bellows the opening words, "''Zadok! The priest! And Nathan! The prophet! Annointed! Solomon! King!''" and the prominent use of melisma in both the choir and the orchestra in the "Amen, alleluia" sections of the concluding "God save the King!" segment; the two appearances of the bass voice melisma are the longest and most awesome of the bunch.
*** ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxgWzeEII0U Te Deum for the Victory of Dettingen]]'', written to commemorate [[RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething King George II's victory over the French in 1743]][[note]] (the last time a sitting British monarch led the army into battle)[[/note]], is an underrated piece of brilliance.
*** And when the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle was signed in 1748, ending the War of Austrian Succession in which George II had fought the French at Dettingen, the treaty was celebrated with a fireworks display, accompanied by the ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkexMGdNE5I Music for the Royal Fireworks]]'', which ranks just behind the ''Water Music'' among Handel's orchestral works. Featuring an enlarged orchestra with horns, trumpets, and drums, it is every bit as stirring and jubilant as the occasion demanded.

*** ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI0YOPoj4t0 Zadok the Priest]]'' doubles as Awesome Music of Crowning - it was written for the coronation of King George II of Great Britain, Ireland, and Hannover in 1727, and has been played at every coronation of a British monarch since.[[note]] In fact, the Bible verses which provide the libretto for the anthem have been recited at the coronation of every English monarch since King Edgar back in the year ''973''![[/note]] Particularly spellbinding moments include the extended orchestral opening built almost entirely of repeated ascending arpeggii over block chords that practically ''explodes'' with jubilation as the choir bellows the opening words, "''Zadok! The priest! And Nathan! The prophet! Annointed! Solomon! King!''" and the prominent use of melisma in both the choir and the orchestra in the "Amen, alleluia" sections of the concluding "God save the King!" segment; the two appearances of the bass voice melisma are the longest and most awesome of the bunch.

*** ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI0YOPoj4t0 Zadok the Priest]]'' doubles as Awesome Music of Crowning - it was written for the coronation of King George II of Great Britain, Ireland, and Hannover in 1727, and has been played at every coronation of a British monarch since.[[note]] In fact, the Bible verses which provide the libretto for the anthem have been recited at the coronation of every English monarch since King Edgar back in the year 973![[/note]] Particularly spellbinding moments include the extended orchestral opening built almost entirely of repeated ascending arpeggii over block chords that practically ''explodes'' with jubilation as the choir bellows the opening words, "''Zadok! The priest! And Nathan! The prophet! Annointed! Solomon! King!''" and the prominent use of melisma in both the choir and the orchestra in the "Amen, alleluia" sections of the concluding "God save the King!" segment; the two appearances of the bass voice melisma are the longest and most awesome of the bunch.