Hallelujah! He is Risen!

A few years ago I attended the Easter Vigil at the Cathedral. The chorus performed the Hallelujah Chorus by Handel. It was so stirring and inspirational that anytime I hear the piece, I am taken back to that evening. Did you know that its words are taken from just three verses from the last book in the Bible? Here’s a little history and video from the Mass Explained App. (Turn up your speakers and enjoy!) You’ll never hear it the same again!

handelThe 18th century German-born composer George Frideric Handel, renowned for his operas, oratorios, and concertos, composed a three-part piece on the life of Christ entitled Messiah. He began composing the oratorio on August 22, 1741 and completed it in 24 days.

The most famous movement is the Hallelujah Chorus, from the Easter section of Messiah. The source for the words are three verses from the King James version of the book of Revelation:

The word Hallelujah is repeated more than 30 times in Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus.

Resembling a coronation anthem, Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus is noted for its remarkable gradation of intensity reaching its apex at the King of Kings and Lord of Lords section.

This triumphal piece influenced Beethoven—among others—who admired Handel above all other composers.

Today, Messiah is among Handel’s best-known works, with performances particularly popular during the Christmas and Easter seasons. Handel himself conducted over 30 performances of Messiah, but never during Christmas or Easter. For him, it was a Lenten piece.

How about you? Do you have any ties to Handel’s piece? Is it performed during Easter at your parish? Is it performed at some other time of the Liturgical Cycle? What other music do you look forward to during Easter?

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Telephone: 305-762-1233 Facsimile: 305-757-3947Reverend Monsignor Dariusz J. Zielonka, JCDImprimatur et Nihil ObstatArchbishop of MiamiGiven in Miami, Florida, on the 31st of August in the Year of our Lord two thousand twenty-two.This imprimatur is an official declaration that this text is free of doctrinal or moral error and may be published. No implication is contained therein that the one granting this imprimatur agrees with the contents, opinions or statements expressed by the author of the texts.Therefore, in accord with canon 824 of the Code of Canon Law, I grant the necessary approbatio for the publication of "Mass Explained."The book "Mass Explained" has been carefully reviewed and found free of anything which is contrary to the faith or morals as taught by the Roman Catholic Church.by the grace of God and favor of the Apostolic See
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