Handel's Messiah and His English Oratorios: A Closer Look

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title Handel's Messiah and His English Oratorios: A Closer Look
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Ben Finane
SeriesMagnum Opus
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:144
Dimensions(mm): Height 198,Width 129
Category/GenreMusic
Theory of music and musicology
Bands, groups and musicians
ISBN/Barcode 9780826429438
ClassificationsDewey:782.23092
Audience
Professional & Vocational

Publishing Details

Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd.
Publication Date 1 May 2009
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

Messiah, Handel's massive drama of human redemption, was his most famous work, and indeed the most popular oratorio in the history of Western music. After more than 250 years, it has the power to move listeners spiritually and musically. Drawing from both Testaments of the Bible, including the prophecy of Isaiah, the Christmas story, the crucifixion, and the revelation, (which contains the famous Hallelujah chorus), Handel's Messiah has spawned groups of listeners dedicated to its performance. Musically, Messiah ranges from madrigal to aria, with an unvarying transparency of expression, imbued with humility and grace. Ben Finane's treatment of this choral work casts new light on the Messiah, for experts and neophytes alike.

Author Biography

Ben Finane lives in New York City where he writes on classical music for the Newark Star-Ledger, San Francisco Chronicle, New Criterion, Stereophile, Time Out New York, and other publications.

Reviews

Title Mention in Musical Times, September 2009