I haven't played a Christmas concert in years. The community orchestra I play in, the Waukegan Symphony, gives a holiday concert every December, always featuring part of Handel's Messiah. This oratorio is a popular piece, though it is rarely presented in its entirety, with good reason. It's really long. In recent years "do-it-yourself" Messiahs have become popular. The audience gets to be the chorus. (I haven't played it until this year because it only calls for two (French) horns. This year neither of the regular players wanted to play.)
Everybody probably knows the final piece in the Messiah -- the Hallelujah chorus. The entire piece is really long and is in two parts, the first being about Christmas and the second about the Crucifixion and Resurrection. This being the Christmas season, our orchestra was playing part one plus the Hallelujah chorus. We (the orchestra) had a chorus on stage with us, and several soloists The audience was invited by our conductor to sing along on all the choruses.
I didn't know exactly what to expect, but it was really fun! Everyone was upbeat (it is the Christmas season after all). Our conductor, Alexander Platt, has a warm personality and is great at talking to the audience at every concert, in addition to being a very fine conductor. The concert started with some light Christmas music -- the theme from Elf and a medley of holiday songs that the audience could also sing along to. That was followed by Part 1 of The Messiah. And we ended (of course) with the Hallelujah Chorus, orchestra, audience, and chorus all participating.
Happy Holidays to all of my fellow bloggers!
You describe so well all that was heard and seen. I felt like I was there. You also remind me that by giving (in this case, a performance) you yourself got so much joy! Happy Holidays to you too!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Happy holidays to you as well!
DeleteHow exciting to play for the Hallelujah Chorus! I would have been singing the alto part loudly. I sang in a Cantata on Sunday. I love singing in a choir. The director was one I knew from 25 years ago. I am glad you are keeping up your music.
ReplyDeleteBeing part of a group that makes music is such a joy! It's great to have those opportunities.
DeleteI don't thin I have ever hear the piece in its entirety. There is such joy during this season and the music of Christmas is really special. arjeha
ReplyDeleteYes, whether it's Christmas carols or the Messiah, it is a joyful experience.
DeleteThanks for brining us to the concert. Turning on Handel's Messiah now. I'll listen for the French horns!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to begin the Christmas season! Love the way you weaved your writing to include a "list" of music. But your first sentence is what grabbed my attention most because your wrote "Waukegan Symphony" ... I immediately checked your profile and saw "Chicago." My husband I met in a little restaurant in Waukegan. He was a sailor stationed at Great Lakes; I was a college student home for the summer, working as a waitress.
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