“Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” (Isaiah 40, vv.1–3)...Hallelujah: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” (Revelation 19, v.6); “The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 11, v.15); “King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.” (Revelation 19, v.16) “Hallelujah!
These are the opening and closing lyrics of Handel's Messiah! This is one of the most popular Christian classics sung around the world at Christmas and Easter. Yesterday, Jo Ann and I actually had the opportunity to visit the Handel House in Halle, Germany. George Frideric Handel was born in Halle, Germany Februry 25, 1685. He spent his childhood and formative years of his youth here. He grew up in this house with his two younger sisters. He was trained to play church music along with Italian and French contemporary music of his day. He lived and worked in Rome, Italy, Hanover, Germany and London, England.
Handel received his formal traning from the lead organist of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Halle. At this same church, Johann Sebastian Bach's oldest son Wilhelm Friedemann Bach was the organist for almost 30 years.
Handel was a Lutheran. He had also attended Lutheran Grammar School and later attended university in Halle. Although he was Lutheran, his first job was organist in a Calvinist reform church. Handel was disappointed playing there because the music was kept to basic melodies and the songs were kept simple. He played songs from the popular hymn-book of the day referred to as the "Cheerful Hymn Book," which would be like our modern day contempoary hymnbook. Even back then, some of the members felt like this music didn't belong in the church. "For the orthodox Lutheran theologians from Wittenberg it was howeever suspect from the start not only because of the deeply subective piety which pervaded its texts but also because of the very cheerful worldliness of its melodies and dance rythms." How true is the saying that the more things change the more they stay the same.
Not only did he serve as the Court composer for the Elector of Hanover, Germany, he was also commissioned by the Queen of England to compose music pieces for special occasions for the English royal house. As you can guess, he was not liked by the top English composers of his day who were wondering how did this German was offered this prominent position.
Luther had a great impact on Handel's life since he was raised Lutheran and remained in the faith until his death. He never married or had children. His life was all about creating and performing music. Here are a few more pictures of our dear Lutheran composor George Frideric Handel and his house.
Handel's Messiah is my favorite classical music selection. Very interesting information re: Handel's career. The Christian world was and continues to be blessed by his musical genius and Christian witness.
ReplyDeleteWhat's really interesting is discovering who are contemporaries of each other in the music world and who was influenced by those who came before. So many connections made and so many who traveled and lived in different places already. Not easy to move around back then like it is today.
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