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| From Messiah Monday |
My family and I had the opportunity to participate in the “Messiah Monday” sing-along in Holland, MI with renowned conductor Jonathan Wilcocks, son of Sir David Wilcocks. While the musicians and conductor were gifted, I was nearly moved to tears as we sang “Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs” and “He Trusted in God,” as I imagined the sufferings our Savior endured on our behalf. The message of the songs never fails to stir my soul.
While it is always a thrill to listen to the music of Handel’s Messiah, we have really enjoyed participating in sing-alongs during the Christmas season the past 2 years. I would encourage you to find one in your area, especially if you have children- we found it to be a very pleasant experience.
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27 November 2007 at 11:47 pm
“Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs” is one of my favorite pieces in all of the Messiah. The musical setting does an exquisite job of carrying this text of Scripture. I’m glad that you all got to participate!
28 November 2007 at 3:15 pm
I do enjoy Messiah. Since beginning classical voice study in February 2002, I never envisioned Messiah would become the goal.
But when a former teacher and I exchanged e-mails three years ago, I decided to make the jump and attempt participation in a singalong.
Last year, the Six Weeks of Händel tag was used when I went to see a Handel opera and the next week, I attended the South Carolina Philharmonic’s production of the full piece, which I dubbed the 2006 Nokia Concert of the Year. My voice teacher was the soprano soloist, and I was able to sit with one of her fellow students (25 years older than I am).
After one training run in preparation for a marathon I eventually ran in February, a friend invited me to their church to participate in their production of excerpts of Messiah. That took place, and I enjoyed that, so the next week, I took part in the same singalong I had done the previous year on the dare, only this time in happier circumstances.
These masterpieces are rich in theology and are more appropriately suited than some of the “modern worship” pieces on the market today.
29 November 2007 at 10:02 am
I agree about “Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs” being one of the best. I also really, really like “Thy rebuke has broken his heart” and the ‘Agnus Dei.”
I’ve never been to a sing along, though I’ve always wanted to do it. But I wonder about the quality of the music. Baroque is the most difficult music to sing. Does it sound ok?
29 November 2007 at 10:48 am
To be sure, it is not concert quality. But the familiarity of the piece and the prepared accompanists at the two I have attended help provide an experience that is satisfying, in my estimation, anyway.
If you want to get a sense of what this one sounded like, I recorded a few of the pieces on our camera. The video isn’t all that interesting, and the bass section is obviously out of balance with the other parts, but you will be able to get some feel, anyway.
26 December 2007 at 12:57 pm
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