Good Friday, our day of solemnity and contemplation. From George Handel - Messiah.
Friday, 14 April 2017
- Part I
Scene 1: Isaiah's prophecy of salvation
- 1. Sinfony (instrumental)
- 2. Comfort ye my people (tenor)
- 3. Ev'ry valley shall be exalted (air for tenor)
- 4. And the glory of the Lord (anthem chorus)
Scene 2: The coming judgment
- 5. Thus saith the Lord of hosts (accompanied recitative for bass)
- 6. But who may abide the day of His coming (soprano, alto or bass)
- 7. And he shall purify the sons of Levi (chorus)
Scene 3: The prophecy of Christ's birth
- 8. Behold, a virgin shall conceive (alto)
- 9. O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion (air for alto and chorus)
- 10. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth (bass)
- 11. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light (bass)
- 12. For unto us a child is born (duet chorus)
Scene 4: The annunciation to the shepherds
- 13. Pifa ("pastoral symphony": instrumental)
- 14a. There were shepherds abiding in the fields (secco recitative for soprano)
- 14b. And lo, the angel of the Lord (accompanied recitative for soprano)
- 15. And the angel said unto them (secco recitative for soprano)
- 16. And suddenly there was with the angel (accompanied recitative for soprano)
- 17. Glory to God in the highest (chorus)
Scene 5: Christ's healing and redemption
- 18. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion (soprano)
- 19. Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened (secco recitative for soprano or alto)
- 20. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd (alto and/or soprano)
- 21. His yoke is easy (duet chorus)
- Part II
Scene 1: Christ's Passion
- 22. Behold the Lamb of God (chorus)
- 23. He was despised and rejected of men (alto)
- 24. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows (chorus)
- 25. And with his stripes we are healed (fugue chorus)
- 26. All we like sheep have gone astray (duet chorus)
- 27. All they that see him laugh him to scorn (secco recitative for tenor)
- 28. He trusted in God that he would deliver him (fugue chorus)
- 29. Thy rebuke hath broken his heart (tenor or soprano)
- 30. Behold and see if there be any sorrow (tenor or soprano)
Scene 2: Christ's Death and Resurrection
- 31. He was cut off (tenor or soprano)
- 32. But thou didst not leave his soul in hell (tenor or soprano)
Scene 3: Christ's Ascension
- 33. Lift up your heads, O ye gates (chorus)
Scene 4: Christ's reception in Heaven
- 34. Unto which of the angels (tenor)
- 35. Let all the angels of God worship Him (chorus)
Scene 5: The beginnings of Gospel preaching
- 36. Thou art gone up on high (soprano, alto, or bass)
- 37. The Lord gave the word (chorus)
- 38. How beautiful are the feet (soprano, alto, or chorus)
- 39. Their sound is gone out (tenor or chorus)
Scene 6: The world's rejection of the Gospel
- 40. Why do the nations so furiously rage together (bass)
- 41. Let us break their bonds asunder (chorus)
- 42. He that dwelleth in heaven (tenor)
Scene 7: God's ultimate victory
- 43. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron (tenor)
- 44. Hallelujah (anthem and fugue chorus)
- Part III
Scene 1: The promise of eternal life
- 45. I know that my Redeemer liveth (soprano)
- 46. Since by man came death (chorus)
Scene 2: The Day of Judgment
- 47. Behold, I tell you a mystery (bass)
- 48. The trumpet shall sound (bass)
Scene 3: The final conquest of sin
- 49. Then shall be brought to pass (alto)
- 50. O death, where is thy sting (alto and tenor)
- 51. But thanks be to God (chorus)
- 52. If God be for us, who can be against us (soprano)
Scene 4: The acclamation of the Messiah
- 53. Worthy is the Lamb (chorus)
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- Amen (chorus)
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