Movement 17 from Handel's Messiah, this is a joyous SATB chorus, complete with trumpets, woodwinds, strings, and harpsichord. The text of "peace on Earth, goodwill towards men" is perfect for Christmas. Orchestral direction reflects the London Philharmonic Orchestra recording. Includes mvmnt. 16 (an 8-measure soprano recitative) as an introduction.
D
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
Contemporary worship band arrangement of the popular praise and worship song How Great Is Our God, originally written and performed by Chris Tomlin. Builds through to the final chorus, and ends with a section for almost a capella singing or meditation. This version is lowered to G Major to assist with congregational singing.
G
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
A stirring arrangement of the USA's national anthem. Natural slowing at the end gives a singer room to show their stuff. Full orchestra captures the drama of the words, with strings and harp in the quieter sections, adding horns and winds as it builds energy, and climaxing with trumpets and marching drums.
Bb G C Ab 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
A slow, moving aria for alto, Movement 23 of Handel's Messiah, describing Christ's sorrows. Strings gently weep in the accompaniment. As the A section is over five minutes in length, Handel's instructions to continue with a bridge and then repeat the A section in its entirety are rarely followed. This recording ends, like most, at the end of the A section; the bridge is available separately as Spiritrax 1209, "He Gave His Back to the Smiters".
Eb
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
A powerful, strong SATB choral work, movement 24 of Handel's Messiah. In only 19 measures, the choir sings powerful unison rhythms, soft contrapuntal entrances, and a forceful antiphonal ending. Beautiful and recognizable.
Fm
A full-blown fugue for SATB chorus, in grand Renaissance style. Handel doubles all the choral parts clearly in the orchestra, making this an easy fugue to sing. Movement 25 of the Messiah.
Fm
A bounding, joyous SATB chorus, movement 26 of Handel's Messiah. Ends with a slow quiet coda. Orchestral direction follows the London Philharmonic recording.
F
A country version of the classic hymn, with acoustic guitar, upright bass, piano, dobro, and drumset.
F A Eb
