Performing and composing ideas
Some of the techniques found in George Handel's Messiah can be transferred to performances and composing. By understanding the effects of each may develop musicianship skills. They are shown here in this table.
| In performance | In composing | |
| Cadences | Be aware of the cadences in the music you are performing. Focus on the ends of phrases and final chord progression. | Try ending phrases using different cadences to see how this impacts on the music. An imperfect cadence sounds unfinished and could be implemented in the middle of a phrase. A plagal or perfect cadence could be used at the end of the piece. |
| Modulation | Make sure to pay attention to new sharp and flat notes when moving from one key to another. | A modulation can be used to change the mood of a piece, eg modulating to the relative minor could mean that something negative has happened in the music to produce this change in tone. Modulating to the related dominant or relative minor are common practices. |
| Word painting | Be aware of the text being sung and highlight the important words in each of the phrases. | Think of some of the ways that Handel has written some of his melodies with influence from the lyrics. When the choir sings the lyric 'low', the pitch is of the note is at its lowest. |
| Texture | Be aware that there is one line of melody and the ensemble is the accompaniment. Ensure that the melody line is most prominent when writing dynamics and articulation. | Compose a piece for multiple voices or instruments and include passages where the melodic movement is chordal. This could be used as a contrast to a polyphonic or contrapuntal section. |
| Cadences | |
| In performance | Be aware of the cadences in the music you are performing. Focus on the ends of phrases and final chord progression. |
| In composing | Try ending phrases using different cadences to see how this impacts on the music. An imperfect cadence sounds unfinished and could be implemented in the middle of a phrase. A plagal or perfect cadence could be used at the end of the piece. |
| Modulation | |
| In performance | Make sure to pay attention to new sharp and flat notes when moving from one key to another. |
| In composing | A modulation can be used to change the mood of a piece, eg modulating to the relative minor could mean that something negative has happened in the music to produce this change in tone. Modulating to the related dominant or relative minor are common practices. |
| Word painting | |
| In performance | Be aware of the text being sung and highlight the important words in each of the phrases. |
| In composing | Think of some of the ways that Handel has written some of his melodies with influence from the lyrics. When the choir sings the lyric 'low', the pitch is of the note is at its lowest. |
| Texture | |
| In performance | Be aware that there is one line of melody and the ensemble is the accompaniment. Ensure that the melody line is most prominent when writing dynamics and articulation. |
| In composing | Compose a piece for multiple voices or instruments and include passages where the melodic movement is chordal. This could be used as a contrast to a polyphonic or contrapuntal section. |
Impact
Since the premiere in Dublin in 1742, Handel’s Messiah has been performed by choirs across the world. Messiah was originally conceived as a work for Easter and was premiered in the spring during the Lent season. Over time, it has become synonymous with Christmas and still attracts big audiences today.