With my penchant for musical theater (and a strong background in choral singing), is it any wonder that nothing says Christmas to me like flying along the Capital Beltway at five o'clock in the morning at breakneck velocity, joyfully belting out the stirring and majestic Hallelujah! chorus from one of the great musical wonders of the world, Handel's Messiah?
"And he shall reign for ever and eh-eh-VER,
For EVER! and EVER! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
(dramatic pause)
HALL-EEEEEEE-LUUUUUUUU-JAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Chills. I swear. Handel was totally the Andrew Lloyd Webber of his day, y'all. His Messiah oratorio is, like, 18th-century Jesus Christ Superstar, I'm telling you what.
I must say, For Unto Us a Child is Born brings on the Christmas jollies, as well. It's joyful! And colorful! And SKIPPY. And that part after "And his name shall be call-ed..." when the violins come crashing in and the entire ensemble cries out "WONDERFUL! COUNSELOR! The mighty GOD!..."? Seriously, just... WOW. By merit of this piece's sheer musicality alone, even the most hardened Scroogemeister could begin to think that perhaps Jesus might have something going for him after all, you know? Well, at least while listening to this music, anyway. It's just THAT good.
Of course, when I exit the Beltway and hit the stoplights, I do get a few curious stares from other early-morning commuters. I'm just saying that perhaps my music may be cranked up rather loud. And I might-- just MAYBE, mind you-- on occasion bop my head up and down. And, um... conduct. Exuberantly. Hey! When conducting an ensemble of combined choirs, soloists and orchestra, while simultaneously attempting to nail the contralto and/or soprano part (and occasionally tenor, just for variety, you know?) AND keep one's car from swerving into oncoming traffic, there is no time for restraint! But whatever. Staring is RUDE, yo?
Gosh. I'm FINALLY feeling the season.
Hallefreakinglujah.
5 Comments:
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Not-So-Normal-Mom commented:
Yeah! Someone else who likes to belt out music in the car while looking like a complete goober! It really looks great when your rocking out the minivan, ya know? I'm glad you're feeling it!
- » 12/20/2005 11:21 AM
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Nessa commented:
one of my favorite pieces that we do in choir!
- » 12/20/2005 1:07 PM
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Ern commented:
I have been LOVING the Classical Christmas station on our XM radio. But my husband just rolls his eyes, or sings mocking Halloweenish opera.
And PS, Handel's Messiah? TOTAL chills, EVERY time.
Merry Christmas!- » 12/20/2005 10:14 PM
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Susie commented:
I just fell head-over-heels in love with you (again). I actually got goosebumps reading your POST! I truly adore this music. My favorite is the "Unto us a child is born..." Oh my gosh. Now. Question for you. You obviously are a fine singer. I am an average singer. Perhaps slightly above average on a good day. At a church near us, they have a "Handel's Messiah sing-along." I have always thought, "NO!!! That must be sung by people who can do it justice, not just riff-raff off the freakin' street!" However, I am beginning to think that it is SO beautiful, that maybe it would still be beautiful if bad singers with good intentions took at stab at it. What do you think?
- » 12/23/2005 6:27 AM
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Cat commented:
Oh, totally do it, Susie! DEFINITELY.
- » 12/23/2005 10:35 AM