{"id":16592,"date":"2017-11-19T00:00:17","date_gmt":"2017-11-19T04:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=16592"},"modified":"2017-12-02T14:08:25","modified_gmt":"2017-12-02T18:08:25","slug":"countdown-to-the-messiah-week-3-of-7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=16592","title":{"rendered":"Countdown to “The Messiah”: Week 3 of 7"},"content":{"rendered":"

“Oh Thou that Tellest Good Tidings”…<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

On December 17 2017 our choir will be joined by other local choirs to present Part 1 of Handel’s The Messiah. This will be our annual Christmas Cantata (which will be held at the traditional time of 4:15 PM… in our sanctuary). The Tapestry String Quartet along with our own Sue Crispin will play the accompaniment. Jack Rowland will pull everything together by directing the music.\"\"<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

The “Christmas Part” of Handel’s famous oratorio is organized around a series of six Choruses (which are sung by the full choir). A set of solos introduce each chorus. In most cases, there are two solos; one is called a Recitative and the second is called an Air. <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

The Christmas section of the oratorio actually consists of six choruses, and the Hallelujah Chorus ends the Easter section. But- who could resist- we will end our cantata with the Hallelujah Chorus.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

In the weeks leading up to our December 17 Cantata, we will provide weekly “Countdown to The Messiah” articles highlighting one of the seven Choruses that comprise the cantata.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

This installment highlights the third chorus. <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Here’s a list of the 7 Choruses that are in “The Messiah.”\u00a0 Links to previously posted choruses are provided…<\/span><\/p>\n
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  1. And the Glory of the Lord<\/span>\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  2. And He Shall Purify<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  3. O Thou that Tellest Good Tidings<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. For Unto Us a Child is Born<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Glory to God<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. His Yoke is Easy and His Burthen is Light<\/span><\/li>\n
  7. Hallelujah Chorus<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div><\/div>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Chorus 3 of 7: “Oh Thou that Tellest Good Tidings”<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Context<\/span><\/h4>\n

    After “And He Shall Purify”, two alto solos take us from the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14, and then lead us to its fulfillment which came when Jesus was born.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    Here’s what Isaiah prophesied (7:13-14):<\/p>\n

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    13 And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?<\/span><\/p>\n

    14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    The Air that follows the first solo leads us into the announcement from the angels (in Luke 2:8-9):<\/p>\n

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    8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.<\/span><\/p>\n

    9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.<\/span><\/p>\n

    10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    These solos are a bit different from the rest of the cantata.\u00a0 The Recitative is very short (only a few measures).\u00a0 And, the Air leads directly into the chorus. Usually the Air is a completely different piece of music.\u00a0 But this time, it transitions directly from solo to choir.<\/p>\n