The Enduring Legacy of Handel’s “Messiah”: Faith, Inspiration, and a Musical Revolution
For nearly three centuries, George Frideric handel’s “Messiah” has resonated with audiences worldwide, transcending religious boundaries and solidifying its place as a cornerstone of Western musical tradition. But the story behind this iconic oratorio is as compelling as the music itself, rooted in a specific theological response to the intellectual currents of the 18th century and fueled by the fervent faith of its librettist, Charles Jennens. This article delves into the origins, creation, impact, and lasting power of “Messiah,” exploring why it continues to move listeners today.
A Response to Deism: The genesis of “Messiah”
The early 18th century witnessed a rise in Deism, a philosophical movement emphasizing reason and rejecting the supernatural elements of conventional Christianity. Deists believed in a creator God,but denied divine intervention in the world and the divinity of Jesus Christ.As music historian Wyatt explains, “The christian message is in part also a response to the kind of growing interest in what is known as deism.”
Charles Jennens, a devout Anglican, felt compelled to counteract this growing skepticism. He believed a powerful artistic statement affirming the core tenets of Christian faith was needed. Jennens meticulously compiled scriptural texts focusing on the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, intending to create a work that would powerfully proclaim the Gospel.
Jennens’ Passion and Handel’s Inspiration
For Jennens, this project wasn’t merely intellectual; it was deeply personal. “For Jennens, I think Messiah was a very personal passion, a very personal mission, and Jennens was a deeply religious man, a very committed Christian,” Wyatt notes. He entrusted these texts to George Frideric Handel, urging him to dedicate his full artistic talent to the endeavor.
Jennens wrote to a friend, expressing his hope that Handel would make “Messiah” his finest oratorio, declaring it was “certainly on the best subject.” Handel accepted the challenge, and the result was nothing short of extraordinary.
A Compositional Miracle: 24 Days of Divine Inspiration?
Remarkably, Handel composed “Messiah” in a mere 24 days in 1741. This remarkable speed has led many to believe the work was divinely inspired. The score itself offers further evidence of this extraordinary process.
Music scholars have noted the remarkably low number of errors in the 259-page manuscript, an anomaly for a composition of such length and complexity. Accounts from the time paint a picture of Handel completely immersed in the work, rarely leaving his house. A visitor reportedly found him weeping with intense emotion during the composition process.
Perhaps the most famous anecdote comes from Handel himself, after completing the “Hallelujah” chorus. He exclaimed, “I did think I did see all Heaven before me, and the great God Himself.”
Breaking Convention: Reaching the Masses
Jennens and Handel envisioned “Messiah” as an evangelistic tool, a way to share the Gospel with a broad audience. This led them to make a controversial decision: performing the oratorio in theaters rather than churches.
this choice allowed them to reach a wider audience, including the performers themselves. Handel boldly cast secular singer-actresses in the solo roles, even those with checkered pasts. Susannah Maria Cibber, known for an adulterous affair, was chosen for her ability to deeply move audiences with her voice – a quality Handel valued above technical perfection. He believed she could “penetrate the heart” in a way others could not.
A Global Appeal: “Something for Everybody”
“Messiah” transcends musical and spiritual boundaries, offering something for everyone. As Handel scholar Tim Brown explains, “He touches peopel on every possible level, whether it be on a spiritual level, or musical level, or dramatic level.”
This enduring appeal is evident even today. The “hallelujah” chorus, in particular, has become a cultural phenomenon. YouTube flash mob performances have garnered over 43 million views, demonstrating the chorus’s ability to resonate with people of all backgrounds. Scholar Ruth Smith observes that watching these performances reveals “the change coming over their faces as thay listen, and they are greatly moved.”
