Handel, Why Do the Nations So Furiously Rage Together/Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder We decided to present a webinar on Parts II and III of Handel’s Messiah during Holy Week, having already done Part I (the Christmas part) in December. Part II deals with … Read more
Saint-Saëns, Christmas Oratorio, Tecum Principium Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) wrote his Christmas Oratorio (Oratorio de Noël, Op. 12) early in his career when the composer was only 23 years old. It premiered on Christmas in 1858 at the Church of Saint-Marie-Madeleine (known commonly as “La Madeleine”). … Read more
If The Messiah and The Nutcracker went head-to-head, which one would be accorded the title of most famous masterwork? That’s a hard choice. Indeed, we are about to enter the season when both dominate performance venues across the globe. They are radically different works in … Read more
Carissimi, Plorate, Filii Israel (from Jephte) The oratorio was developed in Italy during the Counter-Reformation, the Catholic Church’s response to Lutheran reforms. The priest Philip Neri (1515-1595) began holding prayer services during the penitential season of Lent in the Oratory (prayer hall). Music was important … Read more
Bach, Es ist vollbracht (St. John Passion) J.S. Bach wrote two Passions: The Passion According to St. John and The Passion According to St. Matthew. A Passion presents the Gospel texts for Good Friday in dramatic form. Passion plays became popular in medieval times as a … Read more
Berlioz, L’enfance du Christ (Shepherd’s Farewell) [We are posting this week’s Friday Performance Pick one day early so that it will be included in the Weekly Digest during the Christmas Season.] Throughout time, composers have been known to play musical jokes. Sometimes a piece merely … Read more
Handel, Messiah – For Unto Us a Child Is Born If you followed Professor Carol’s Advent Calendar this year, you know that we remain in the middle of the Christmas season. It’s the 8th day of Christmas – maids a’milking and all that. Handel’s Messiah is frequently performed … Read more
