A Brief History of the Song Hallelujah Composed by George Frederic Handel

Chao Yao
Music 1100-005
Messiah--Hallelujah: This music was composed by George Frederic Handel in 1741, and the scriptural text was compiled by Charles Jenney in English. Handel (1685-1759) was one of the music giants in the Baroque time. He mainly lived in England and was famous for his compositions of Italian operas, especially for oratorios. Messiah was his sixth work of oratorio. Although its structure resembles that of conventional opera, it is not in dramatic form; there are no impersonations of characters and very little direct speech. Instead, Jennens's text is an extended reflection on Jesus Christ as Messiah, moving from the prophetic phrases of Isaiah and others, through the Incarnation, Passion and Resurrection of Christ to his ultimate glorification in heaven. Hallelujah is the chorus closing the Scene 7, in the brilliant key of D major with trumpets and timpani. This chorus is often performed out of context, especially around Christmas. People like this chorus and will stand to listen to this chorus.
Johann Sebastian Bach(1685–1750)-- Brandenburg Concerto: Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist of the Baroque Period. He is called the “Father of Music”. He enriched many established German styles through his skill in counterpoint, harmonic and motivic organization, and the adaptation of rhythms, forms, and textures from abroad, particularly from Italy and France. Many of Bach's works are still known today, and his music is revered for its intellectual depth, technical command, and artistic beauty. One of his great works is Brandenburg Concerto: The Brandenburg concerto was composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. It is a collection of six instrumental works and is widely regarded as one of the finest musical compositions of the Baroque era. We listen to the No.5 in D major. It has three movements: allegro, affettuoso, and allegro. And three musical instruments are used: harpsichord, violin and flute. This concerto makes use of a popular chamber music ensemble of the time (flute, violin, and harpsichord), which Bach used on their own for the middle movement. It is believed that it was written in 1719, to show off a new harpsichord by Michael Mietke which Bach had brought back from Berlin for the Cöthen court. It is also thought that Bach wrote it for a competition at Dresden with the French composer and organist Louis Marchand; in the central movement, Bach uses one of Marchand's themes. Marchand fled before the competition could take place, apparently scared off in the face of Bach's great reputation for virtuosity and improvisation.
Johann Sebastian Bach(1685–1750)—“Little” Fugue in G Minor. Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist of the Baroque Period. He is called the “Father of Music”. He enriched many established German styles through his skill in counterpoint, harmonic and motivic organization, and the adaptation of rhythms, forms, and textures from abroad, particularly from Italy and France. Many of Bach's works are still known today, and his music is revered for its intellectual depth, technical command, and artistic beauty. We listen to his “Little” Fugue in G Minor. Fugue in G minor, BWV 578, "Little", is a piece of organ music written around 1703 to 1707. It is one of Bach's best known fugues. This fugue is played by organs and has four voices.

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)--The Four Seasons (Italian: Le quattro stagioni) is a set of four violin concertos by Antonio Vivaldi. Antonio Vivaldi was an Italian Baroque composer, priest, and virtuoso violinist, born in Venice. Recognized as one of the greatest Baroque composers, his influence during his lifetime was widespread over Europe. Vivaldi is known mainly for composing instrumental concertos, especially for the violin, as well as sacred choral works and over forty operas. His best known work is a series of violin concertos known as The Four Seasons. Composed in 1723, The Four Seasons is Vivaldi's best-known work, and is among the most popular pieces of Baroque music. The texture of each concerto is varied, each resembling its respective season. Each one is in three movements, with a slow movement between two faster ones. At the time of writing The Four Seasons, the modern solo form of the concerto had not yet been defined (typically a solo instrument and accompanying orchestra). Vivaldi's original arrangement for solo violin with string quartet and basso continuo helped to define the form. We just listen to … I like it because
Messiah—Ev’ry Valley: This music was composed by George Frideric Handel in 1741, and the scriptural text was compiled by Charles Jennens in English. Handel (1685-1759) was one of the music giants in the Baroque time. He mainly lived in England and was famous for his compositions of Italian operas, especially for oratorios. Messiah was his sixth work of oratorio. Although its structure resembles that of conventional opera, it is not in dramatic form; there are no impersonations of characters and very little direct speech. Instead, Jennens's text is an extended reflection on Jesus Christ as Messiah, moving from the prophetic phrases of Isaiah and others, through the Incarnation, Passion and Resurrection of Christ to his ultimate glorification in heaven. Ev’ry Valley was a tenor part in Scene 1. It celebrates the birth of Jesus. This part is important because it tells people that someday an important leader will be born to save all other people. So people don’t feel scared or painful.