The composer of “Hallelujah Chorus,” George Frederic Handel, was an important asset to the Baroque Period of music. He was born In Hale, Germany on February 3, 1685, and as a young boy he showed much talent In composing and playing the harpsichord and organ. HIS most monumental piece, “Messiah,” was written in 1741, in about three weeks. In 1759 Handel performed his final organ performance playing the “Messiah. ” Eight days later he died and was buried at Westminster Baby with state honors. “Hallelujah Chorus” Is a piece from the oratorio, “Messiah.
There are many different parts to “Hallelujah Chorus. ” One part is the melody, which is a series of sounds that have a linear aspect to the music. You can hear the melody being moved around by the chorus from section to section, first you hear the sopranos, then you hear the tenors and basses, and finally the altos and tenors. Another aspect Is harmony, which Is the combination of sounds In a vertical aspect to the music. You can hear the harmony throughout the whole song when the chorus sings “Hallelujah” in multiple sections of the chorus which hit a range of different notes at the same time.
Hallelujah Chorus” has a polyphonic texture, meaning you can hear two Independent melodies occurring at the same time. One Is “Hallelujah” being sung by one group and “for the Lord God… ” Being sung by another. At the end of the chorus you can hear the trumpets enter to bolster the dramatic impact of the music to give a sense of power and grandeur. Handel’s Choruses normally had about eighteen singers and were known as the most Important since they were the Instrumentation of the piece. This section consisted of four parts, the sopranos, altos, tenors, and the bass/baritone.
However, these sections all consisted of male singers. You can hear the higher parts of the music were sung by young boys, in which they learned in choir school to sing women parts because women were not accepted to perform on stage In that time period. Before they reached puberty these young boys had an option to be castrated and that would allow them to keep their job as singing a female part. The word Baroque means highly decorated, and is full of confidence and Is very complicated. Musicians made up music as they played, and allowed them to show off to the patrons supporting them.
An oratorio was like an opera but without scenery. Solo singers, choirs, and an orchestra were used in oratorios. When listening to this song it can remind oneself of Christmas time, since this is one of the most popular songs sung in mass. One listening to this piece may feel lively and uplifted by hearing the melody go from section to section and the beautiful harmony that Is presented. Handel was a strong and creative human being; his father had a law career in mind for him even though 1 OFF passion of music and created some of the best well known pieces still popular in present time.