In this menacing bass aria, Handel signals darkness and danger with a "Jaws"-like musical motif in the orchestra. Simple and captivating, this is movement ten of the Messiah. Perfect for Easter or Good Friday. Direction is inspired by the London Symphony Orchestra recordings.
Bm
Movement 11 from Handel's Messiah is an aria for bass. The creepy chromatic melody is played unison by the orchestra and soloist, giving an unusual, dark character to the text. Tempos are similar to the London Symphony Orchestra recording.
Bm
The twelfth movement in Handel's Messiah is a joyous SATB chorus celebrating Christ's birth. The vocal parts alternate between quiet sections of imitative polyphony and strong sections of heroic union fanfares. All parts match Handel's original score, and orchestral direction is similar to the well-known recordings by the London Symphony Orchestra.
G
This soprano recitative comprises movements 14 and 15 of Handel's Messiah. It tells of the angel of God appearing to the shepherds. Very slow and rubato, with timings carefully matched to the London Philharmonic Orchestra recording.
C
This well-known soprano aria is movement 52 of the Messiah. Follows Handel's original orchestral score. A beautiful number for solo performance.
Gm
Movement 18 of Handel's Messiah is a dramatic and involved aria for soprano. A fast major-key beginning and end require virtuosic singing, and the slow minor-key middle section gives the singer lots of room to be expressive. Orchestral direction reflects the London Philharmonic Orchestra recording.
Bb
Movement 19 of Handel's Messiah is a brief alto recitative, reciting the miracles that will occur when Jesus is born. Accompanied by bass, cello, and harpsichord.
Am
Movement 20 in Handel's Messiah is a gentle, flowing double aria for alto and soprano. The text describes how Jesus will protect his people. The alto sings the first half in F, and then the soprano takes over in Bb for the second half. Simple and beautiful. Could be done by one singer with a large range, but really perfect to feature two.
F
This grand and peaceful SATB chorus is movement 21 of Handel's Messiah. The last movement in Part 1, it is usually the last song before intermission in performances of the full work. Gentle and easy to sing with a triumphant ending, with a text simple enough for anyone to understand.
Bb
This slow minor-key SATB chorus is Movement 22 of Handel's Messiah, opening the second part. Beautiful and dramatic canonic entrances, with all the choral parts clearly mirrored in the orchestra.
Gm
This quiet alto aria about Christ's generosity towards his abusers is the B section of movement 23 of the Messiah. It was recorded separately so that it can be used alone, as a short and simple aria, or as a bridge to "He Was Despised" (Spiritrax 1208) as per Handel's original instructions.
Cm
The Spiritrax.com Christmas Collection Vol. 1 includes 12 of our most popular Christmas songs in their most commonly sung keys. Each accompaniment background track comes with sheet music and a demonstration version.
Movement 28 of Handel's Messiah is a four-part SATB fugal work about Christ's faith in God. All vocal parts are doubled clearly in the orchestra, making the complex music easy to sing. A fairly fast allegro movement with a slow dramatic ending.
Cm
Movement 32 of Handel's Messiah is an aria for tenor (or soprano). Moderately, calm, and stately, it occurs just after Christ is killed, and reassures the audience that his death is temporary. Orchestral direction and tempos follow the London Philharmonic recording with Walter Susskind conducting.
A
Movement 33 of Handel's Messiah is celebratory and challenging, with a strong Amen ending, a great choral work for Christmas or other holidays. This SATB (and at times, SSATB) chorus that features strong unison rhythms alternating with quiet fugal sections. Full orchestra accompaniment that follows Handel's original score.
F