Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1872-05-23
Handel---The Inspiration of his
Compositions.

Compared with other composers,
Handel stands in the very front rank.
His music may not catch the ear of the
empty heads, but all real men and wo-
men who have hearts to be cheered, or
hearts to be lifted toward heaven, ac-
knowledge its consoling and elevating
influence. Very little of it is suited
for the festive gathering or popular
concert; but in the oratorio, in church,
and upon all occasions when men meet
for something besides mere sensual
qualification, father Handel's inspiring
strains are fit and acceptable. Though
his music was written for the better
classes of England, yet we find that it
appeals to the hearts of men of what
ever station. The educated man in the
rich temple, and the day laborer kneel-
ing in the crowded cathedral, hear and
are moved by the wonderful pathos of
"He was despised and rejected of men"
or are lifted towards heaven upon the
wings of the eXultant " Hallelujah."
Yet the music, impressive, sublime,
and varied as it is, presents no enorm-
Gus difficulties to the performer. The
most wonderful thing about it is its sim
plicity. To be sure, some of his Choir
uses seem involved in the deepest mazes
of musical science; yet let the singer
once grasp the theme, and all is easy.
A further wonder lies in its adaptabili-
ty to all circumstances. Handers choirs
probably never exceeded two hundred
singers; yet when the English people,
in their deep love for him, instituted
their splendid musical festivals, it was
found that Handel's choruses were act
ually improved by being rendered by
vast choirs, numbering thousands.
This feature was still more strongly eS-
hibited, when, at the musical festival in
the Coliseum at Boston, Mass, "And
the glory of the Lord" and "See, the
hero comes, y were rendered
in such 4 mastery manner by eleven
thousand performers. People familiar
with Handel's music were surprised
and delighted at the magnificent effect
of the choruses, and people to whom
music seemed dead art were awaken
ell to a new appreciation of its power
to elevate, refine and purify. Many a
man went out of that huge, barn-like
structure better man and purer and
more liberal Christian for hearing that
mighty multitude unite in one loud song
of praise. The Hallelujah Chorus, in
was an admirable illustra-
ton of .Handel's power and grandeur.
1t was upon the fourth and best day of
the festival, and was at the end OF the
The huge building was
packed to suffocation. Fifty thousand
people were gathered in and around
the place; the choir, eleven thousand
strong, stood up; the immense orches-
ira were all expectation a solemn hush
spread over the people. The conductor
stood with uplifted baton. A pause,
and then from the band broke out, clear
and loud, that short, emphatic intro
duction, in one splendid shout the vast
chorus began@'Hallelujah." Uniting
in ponderous unity-''for the Lord God
omnipotent reigneth." Again the har-
monious "Hallelujahs." In curious
maze they twined themselves one about
another, as if their pralse-giving was
too joyful for sober progression. A
hush, and in subdued thunder the voices
melted away into piano--''The kingdom
of this world is become" With stu
pendous power, orchestra, choir and
mighty organ unite-''the kingdom of
our Lord and of His Christi
In an instant two thousand bass
voices gave out the splendid theme
"And He shall reign forever and ever"
The tenors took it up, and bore it high
along. The alto and soprano Joined,
and the whole choir displayed its skill
in matchless fugue
As if this was not enough, the soprano
must start upon its heavenward journey,
treading with firm steps the golden
stairs of music, while the other parts,
in brilliant "Hallelujahs, cheered them
on. Higher and higher yet climbed the
sopranos-"King of kings and
Lord of lords," till they could go no
further, but returned to join with the
rest in the exultant refrain, ''Halleln-
jah forever and ever.
A startling and impressive pause The
music shot through with a silence that
caused men to hold their breaths. Then
the mighty choir, gigantic orchestra,
and ponderous organ united in one
sublime and overwhelming burst of
praise, 'Hallelujah."