iSound

HANDEL - MESSIAH HIGHLIGHTS

German-born George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) composed his greatest choral work, Messiah, between August 22 and September 14, 1741 while living in London, England. In all, 260 pages of manuscript were created over the amazingly short span of 24 days. Handel said when he began the “Hallelujah” chorus, it seemed as if “all Heaven and Earth were lying open to his gaze.”

Historical Context

1685: James II succeeds Charles II in England, calls for freedom of conscience. Protestants fear restoration of Catholicism and demand “Glorious Revolution.” Handel is born.
1689: Peter the Great becomes Czar of Russia-attempts to westernize nation and build Russia as a military power.
1705: Halley’s Comet discovered by Edmund Halley, England.
1707: United Kingdom of Great Britain formed-England, Wales and Scotland.
1741: Handel composes Messiah.
1756: Mozart born.

Though they never met, Handel and Bach were bo...