We invite you to join us this Advent season for a three-part series on the Oratorio The Messiah by the great Baroque era composer George Frederick Handel. Pastor Jasmine and Bob Mobley will lead a discussion focused on the first part of The Messiah which chronicles the prophesy and birth of the Messiah. Handel was presented a group of bible passages to set to music by a wealthy gentleman named Charles Jennens who had a keen interest in music and theology. Pastor Jasmine will give an overview of the bible passages highlighting their significance from a social standpoint. Bob will discuss how Handel set these passages to music highlighting key words/phrases. The booklet Hallelujah, The Bible and Handel’s Messiah authored by Carol Bechtel (with assistance from Robert Page) will be used as a reference.
Session 1: December 3, 10:10 – 10:50 am
For this session we will be highlighting the tenor recitative/aria “Comfort Ye, Comfort Ye My People” and “Every Valley Shall Be Exalted.” Focus will be on key words: comfort, saith the Lord, crieth, highway & exalted. Also included will be the Air for alto and chorus “O Thou that Tellest Good Tidings to Zion.” Here, the key words are: good tidings, high mountains, lift up, behold, glory & risen.
Session 2: December 10, 10:10 – 10:50 am
In Session 2 we will be highlighting the dramatic Bass Aria “Thus Saith the Lord.” Key words/phrases: Thus saith the Lord, shake, desire & covenant. The next composition is a solo for Alto entitled “But Who May Abide the Day of his Coming.” Key words in this aria are: stand, appeareth & refiners fire. Finally, we will conclude with the Chorus “And He Shall Purify the Sons of Levi.” The key word purify figures prominently in the music.
Session 3: December 17, 9:30 am (before service)
Session 3 concludes our series starting with the solo for Bass “The People That Walked in Darkness.” Key words are: darkness, light, death, shined. Our final musical offering is “For Unto Us a Child is Born.” There are many key words in this uplifting Chorus upon which Handel places due emphasis. You will want to sing along!