It's The Day of Celebration In All of Christendom
I said last year - there really is only one choice for No. 1 on any Christmas list of songs. Some things do not change. In my humble opinion, the greatest work of religious music ever written and performed by thousands of choirs, ensembles, singers, churches and even flash mob singers in food courts since it was written in 1741 by George Frederic Handel is The Hallelujah Chorus from The Messiah.
History says that while Handel was composing this piece, he imagined seeing heaven before his very eyes and 'the great God Himself' enthroned in glory. Whatever the origin of the custom, the piece has such emotional power that, to this day in, audiences rise as if in prayer as soon as the opening notes are struck.
The history of this master work may be disputed, but its majesty and power is beyond question. I hope these arrangements - some old and some new - will help make your family's Christmas a day of celebration to stand and sing Hallelujah!
I said last year - there really is only one choice for No. 1 on any Christmas list of songs. Some things do not change. In my humble opinion, the greatest work of religious music ever written and performed by thousands of choirs, ensembles, singers, churches and even flash mob singers in food courts since it was written in 1741 by George Frederic Handel is The Hallelujah Chorus from The Messiah.
History says that while Handel was composing this piece, he imagined seeing heaven before his very eyes and 'the great God Himself' enthroned in glory. Whatever the origin of the custom, the piece has such emotional power that, to this day in, audiences rise as if in prayer as soon as the opening notes are struck.
The history of this master work may be disputed, but its majesty and power is beyond question. I hope these arrangements - some old and some new - will help make your family's Christmas a day of celebration to stand and sing Hallelujah!
And by the way - turn up the stereo!!
First up is The Mormon Tabernacle Choir performing this master work as originally written.
If you like your Hallelujah with some funk, this version from Handel's Messiah - A Soulful Celebration from a mixed choir who knows how to bring it will get you to the church on time!
And the greatest contemporary arrangement of this ancient work, featuring a 200 voice choir and orchestra with soloists Twila Paris, Sandi Patty, Wayne Watson, Michael English, Larnelle Harris and Steve Green, brings this ancient work into a new relevance from the 1994 tour - The New Young Messiah - Worthy Is The Lamb/Hallelujah.
May God Truly Bless Your Family This Christmas & In The Coming Year - Merry Christmas!
d.l.stafford
thenomadARCHITECT
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