Handel's Messiah.

Is typically only performed or listened to at Christmas time.

What you don't know The Messiah? You know the Hallelujah chorus? That is from Handel's Messiah and when do you usually hear that (Charlie Sykes listeners, it is not just when a Republican wins an election)? Right, Christmas time.

Actually that Hallelujah chorus is an EASTER song! My recording of The Messiah (which is playing as I type) is a Phillips recording of John Elliot Gardener's The English Baroque Soloists and the Monteverdi Choir and was recorded in 1982.

Anyway the Hallelujah chorus is the last track on disc 2 of three. One of the early tracks on disc 2 they sing out a passage fro Isaih 50:6:
He gave His back to the smiters,
and His cheeks to them
that plucked off the hair:
He hid not His face
from shame and spitting.

Clearly Handel is quoting prophecy that foretells of Christ's Passion and why would one sing Hallelujah after that? Stay tuned and tomorrow I will blog that!

Handel's Messiah not just for Christmas anymore!