Messiah (Orchestral), no. 51: But thanks be to God

‎Handel: Messiah, HWV 56 by London Symphony Orchestra & Sir Colin Davis on Apple Music

Handel got around this by making Messiah a feature of his Lenten charity benefit concerts. Following the Handel Commemoration at Westminster Abbey, the score of Messiah became fixed, and performing forces huge. Every phrase, whether played or sung, is suffused with word-meaning.

Momentum builds throughout the work, thanks to the excellent musicianship of choir, conductor, instrumentalists and soloists alike. Modern instruments are made to sound like period instruments, with the players adopting a Baroque clarity, nimbleness and ingenuity of extemporisation. Gorgeous instrumental solos abound. This Messiah not only captures the heart, but ravishes the ear. Virtuosity makes this performance sizzle. The skeleton forces of just 13 vocalists and a neat member band facilitate a nimbleness and responsiveness unique among Messiah recordings, and indeed, the choruses are surprisingly robust.

3 best London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis, Tenebrae Choir, Георг Фридрих Гендель tracks

For quality of soloists, this disc ranks top dog: It just seems to go on forever. Tempos are drearily slow, instrumental playing rhythmically slack and often plain out of tune, and dynamics about as subtle as auntie at Christmas after one too many sherries. George Handel Part 33 - Lift up your heads. George Handel Part 35 - Let all the angels of God. George Handel Part 37 - The Lord gave the word.

More by New Mexico Symphonic Chorus

George Handel Part 39 - Their sound is gone out. George Handel Part 41 - Let us break their bonds asunder.

George Handel Part 44 - Hallelujah. George Handel Part 46 - Since by man came death.

Past Highlights

George Handel Part 51 - But thanks be to God. George Handel Part 53 - Worthy is the Lamb. Upgrade to our Master Class! Now you can rehearse anywhere! He was cut off out of the land of the living: Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is this King of Glory?

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• Le Brutte Giornate: Trappole e congiure del piccolo vivere quotidiano (Italian Edition).
• Messiah, Hwv 56, Part III: 51. Chorus "But Thanks Be To God Who Giveth Us The Victory".
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The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle. Unto which of the angels said He at any time: Thou art gone up on high; Thou hast led captivity captive, and received gifts for men; yea, even from Thine enemies, that the Lord God might dwell among them. How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things. Their sound is gone out into all lands, and their words unto the ends of the world.

Why do the nations so furiously rage together, and why do the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth rise up, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord, and against His anointed. He that dwelleth in Heav'n shall laugh them to scorn; The Lord shall have them in derision. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.

I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.

Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality. Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: O death, where is thy sting?

O grave, where is thy victory?