George Frideric Handel
"Handel, upon reading these Scriptures from the Old and New Testaments (compiled by a friend) (August, 1741) was overcome by their power. The music began dancing and exploding within him. He immediately shut himself in and worked night and day, often forgetting to eat. The servants could, from time to time, hear his sobs as he labored over the inspired text. He finished the original libretto and score in twenty-four days. A complete musical performance requires nearly three hours; the Scripture texts, thirty minutes."
Handel was quite tall with large features, both physically and spiritually. He endured much opposition from church and peers, but his generous, forgiving heart just grew in its expansive love. He was buried in Westminster Abbey (1759) . His tomb reads: "I Know That My Redeemer Liveth." -[ Handel's MESSIAH Word Book
©copyright 1998 Roy Greenhill, Sr. Atlanta, Georgia]
I don't really enjoy Messiah as much as most other music lovers I know. I do like this portion I have posted here, and I love the 'Hallelujah Chorus'.
Nevertheless, it is a masterpiece, and it glorifies the Lord of glory in such a magnificent way.
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