How the "Messiah" was written

One bitterly cold winter of 1741, Handel received a package in his lodging. It contained a text made up of scripture from his friend Charles Jennens.

"Comfort ye, comfort ye, My people, saith your God...Behold! A virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Emmanuel, God with us...and His name shall be calleed Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God..."

Excitedly, he read on. "He was despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows...I know that my Redeemer lives and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth...King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, Hallelujiah!"

Handel rushed to the piano with pencil in hand and began to write the music to the immortal Messiah. For two weeks, he labored incessantly. He saw no one and refused food and sleep.

At last, he finished the great oratorio. Tears were streaming down his face as he said, "I did think i did see all Heaven before me, and the great God Himself."

The composition was first heard in Dublin where it was an overwhelming success. Then in London, where the King rose to his feet at the great "Hallelujah Chorus," and the audience followed his example. Today, audiences all over the world still rise and remain standing during this Chorus.

Later, George Frederick Handel became poor and blind. But he neber permitted his misfortunes to overcome his spirit.

Bach's Biblical Music

Almost 250 years after he died, Bach's music still lifts the hearts and energizes the soul.

Bach wrote his music for God. Most of his works are explicitly biblical. The famous missionary doctor Albert Schweitzer, who was also an expert on Bach, called him the "Fifth evangelist." Bach's music is undisputably in a league by itself.

Bach set before himself and accomplished the seemingly impossible task of preparing a different cantata for every Sunday for a three year period. And remember that he not onlt had to create the music, but also get it copied for the performers and rehearse with them.