Handel: 'And the Glory of the Lord' from Messiah

Question 1

Performing Forces

Answer 1

• Use of sopranos, altos, tenors and basses
• Accompanied by strings and continuo
• Orchestra often doubles the vocal lines

Question 2

Structure

Answer 2

• Starts with an orchestral introduction (ritornello) which return later in the piece twice
• No set form and based on different combinations of the four motifs

Question 3

Melody

Answer 3

• First sung by the altos, starting in bar 11, it clearly outlines the key of A major.
• Second motif, sung by the tenors starts in bar 17. It uses a descending sequence and a melisma on the word ‘revealed’ (several notes to one word).
• Third motif is sung by the altos in bar 43. A short descending figure from A to E is repeated twice.
• Fourth motif sung by the tenors and basses starts in bar 51. Most of it is on the same pitch (A) but it uses longer notes- sounding solemn (sad).

Question 4

Rhythm metre and tempo

Answer 4

• Dance like metre- 3/4
• fast tempo: allegro, until the end where there is a bar of total silence (general pause) and then three bars in a slower tempo, marked Adagio to create a drawn-out ending.
• number of hemiolas in the piece such as bars 9-10, where the music feels as if it is in 2/4 rather than 3/4

Question 5

Tonality and harmony

Answer 5

• The piece is in A major and modulates to two related keys: the dominant (E major) and the supertonic (Bmajor).
• The work ends with a plagal cadence in A major.
• The harmony is diatonic

Question 6

Texture

Answer 6

• Texture alternates between homophonic and contrapuntal passages. The first passage sung by the whole choir is homophonic (bars 14-17). This is followed by a contrapuntal section that introduces the phrase ‘shall be revealed’ (bars 17-33).
• Short monophonic passage in bars 108-9
• Use of imitation, bar 17, the tenors sing ‘shall be revealed’ which is imitated by the basses and sopranos.
• Number of parts vary, sometimes it is just one (such as just altos in bars 43-46) and other times its two or three parts, or all four parts together.

Question 7

Word setting

Answer 7

• Mixture of syllabic and melismatic word setting. Word ‘revealed’ in motif 2 is melismatic (more than one note for a word).
• Motif 4, ‘for the mouth of the lord’ is syllabic- each word has it’s own single note.
• Different phrases of text are repeated many times to make words clear.

Question 8

History

Answer 8

• Oratorio (based on a biblical story).
• Composed in 1741
• Handel was living in London
• Performed in concert halls and theatres
• First performance was given by a small choir and orchestra.