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George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
Of course, the listener's reactions to these spiritual (sic) sentiments will cover the whole spectrum. Pro Christe, as a christian choir and orchestra, would want to keep the issues within a theological context. Whereas some would say that at the most, Handel was blessed with a vivid imagination during the frenetic three-week composition period - "I did think I did see all Heaven before me and the Great God Himself" - it is possible that Handel, through a living faith, was able to receive direct inspiration from God through the Holy Spirit. Such quality of faith would also form the basis of his desire that his listeners would be "bettered". Others would argue that Oratorio was designed to be heard merely on the basis of the dramatic attributes of the artform - there was no question of Handel intending to provoke a contemplative reaction. But the Passion of Christ demands a much deeper response than that! Why so much pastoral imagery for example, even from the very Birth of Christ? "He shall feed His flock like a shepherd ... Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world ... All we like sheep have gone astray ... Worthy is the Lamb that was slain ...". Our response to the Passion could be rendered meaningless if we do not acknowledge the obvious answer - the concept of Sacrifice, coupled to a glorious and triumphant Resurrection. At the time of this recording (Autumn 1986) Pro Christe saw itself (and would still) as a collective instrument playing to fulfil Handel's own dedication of his Messiah - "Soli Deo Gloria - to God alone be Glory". Despite a memorable 'launching performance' of Messiah at Westminster Abbey in May 1987, it has not proved possible, for many reasons, to make the vision an ongoing one. But the very worthwhile legacy of the recording is the knowledge that substantial royalties from its sales will continue to benefit Tear Fund. To this end, we are delighted and grateful that Guild Music has 'taken the plunge' to make a CD version possible. Enjoy - and tell your friends! 1995 John Harmar-Smith George Frideric Handel on Guild Music
Page revised 01.03.06 |
Creative minds are motivated by every kind of different reason. Shortly after
the first London performance of Messiah, Handel was congratulated by Thomas Hay,
the eighth Earl of Kinnoul, who dubbed the work "a noble entertainment". The
composer replied: "My Lord, I should be sorry if I only entertained them, I wished to
make them better". Stravinsky's motivation for The Soldier's Tale, a Russian
folktale with deeply theological implications, was, in his words, to make available
"a message universal to all mankind".