Holiday music, sacred Christmas carols and secular songs, are heard almost daily in this festive season. Sacred carols center around the birth of the Christ Child who is Lord and Savior to millions of Christians around the globe. Secular holiday music speaks of other things like Santa Claus, white Christmas, chestnuts roasting, among others.
Prominent in the classical music genre is the music of two master composers of the late Baroque Period – George Frederick Handel (1685-1759) and Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750). These giants in music history were both born in Germany but couldn’t be further apart in their personal life and world outlook.
Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach was the consummate family man. An introverted conservative, he was a devoted Christian who was gifted as a master musician, organist and composer, Bach was sedentary in terms of travel and never ventured out of his native Germany. Born into a family of musicians he continued the family tradition by siring 20 children. He first married his cousin Maria Bach, with whom he had seven children. After she died, he married Anna Magdalena Wilke, and had thirteen children by her. Some of his children became gifted composers in their own right.
Bach’s main contribution to Christmas music is the great Christmas Oratorio composed in 1733-34. An oratorio is an extensive setting for orchestra, chorus and solo voices derived from, or based on, selections from the Bible. It is performed devoid of costumes, scenery or action on the part of the soloists.
The first performance of the Christmas Oratorio was on December 25, 1739 in St. Nicholas Church in Leipzig, Germany. It is in six parts and almost three hours long. Each part was presented on a major feast day between Christmas and Epiphany. It was also performed as a whole or split into two parts. Bach’s attitude towards the oratorio was one of absolute devotion. All of Bach’s music was dedicated to the greater glory of God.
George Frederick Handel
Handel was an extrovert and a “man of the world,” (unlike Bach) a bon vivant. In his early years he traveled extensively and spent three years in Italy studying and absorbing Italian music, especially Italian opera. In 1712 he went to England and remained there the rest of his life. He never returned to his native Germany. “The German became England’s greatest composer of Italian music,” said Musicologist, Marcus Weeks.
Handel’s musical talent was recognized early and he was allowed to have formal training even though he was not from a musical family. He is most well-known for his masterpiece, Messiah, often incorrectly called “The” Messiah.
While Bach’s attitude was devotional – Handel’s approach to the oratorio was more subjective, using it to express his own dynamic personality and incorporating the elements of his dramatic style. Handel’s oratorio was performed on stage in a theater for an audience, not a congregation. Unlike Bach’s religious oratorios, Handel’s oratorios were not designed for devotion but for a full evening of entertaining vocal and orchestral music using Biblical sources.
Depressed and in debt, Handel wrote Messiah in an astonishing 24 days in 1741. It contains elements of his mature, full-blown style. It is considered to be a high point of Baroque oratorical composition.
*Messiah presents an interpretation of the Christian view of the Messiah or “the anointed one” as Jesus the Christ. Divided into three parts, the libretto covers the prophecies concerning the Christ, the birth, miracles, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, and finally the end times with Christ’s final victory over death and sin.
The first performance in 1742 was in Dublin, Ireland. The tradition of standing for the Hallelujah Chorus was started by King George II, who was so moved by the music that he stood up – audiences have been doing it ever since.
Messiah “Sing-A-Longs”
There are many opportunities to hear Messiah each Christmas season. It is the most performed large choral work ever written. There are also local opportunities to participate in “Sing-A-Long Messiahs.” Many communities offer this to the public. To participate in San Ramon, call Dean Christman at 925-984-2860. Christman will conduct ‘brush-up” work-shops for singers to perform Messiah on December 19, at 7 p.m. at the San Ramon Presbyterian Church. Come and be part of your own Messiah performance, complete with full orchestra. A memorable family event.
Mark your calendars for the 10th annual free Christmas Concert “Comin’Home For Christmas” with the Danville Community Band, Director, Robert Calonico and Director-Emeritus, Dr. Lawrence Anderson. A highlight is Danville’s own, George Komsky, tenor soloist, Sunday, December 12, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. East Bay Fellowship, 2615 Camino Tassajara, Danville, CA 94506 (Across from the Danville Post Office.)
The Band’s annual Christmas concert is the event that helps make the holidays bright, for young and old alike. A Christmas Festival, Mary’s Boy Child, Angels from the Realms of Glory, Holst Winter Suite and the perennial favorite, Sleigh Ride are some of the featured selections. (A visitor from the North Pole may appear.)
Join us for this wonderful family event to celebrate the holidays. Concert and parking FREE! For information see www.danvilleband.org or call 925-372-8420.
Please submit your questions and comments to banddirector01@comcast.net
Visit our website at www.danvilleband.org for up-to-date information about the Danville Community Band.
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