Overview

We think we know Handel's Messiah, having heard it or performed it so many times. But is there another way to look at this masterpiece? Who assembled the texts? Why? How did Handel incorporate his own spiritual understanding of the texts? In this treatise, we view the composition from the same Baroque aesthetic perspective the composer used: the Doctrine of Affections--an approach heretofore unexplored in relationship to Handel's Messiah--which held that every major and minor key prompted a particular, very specific, and involuntary emotional and spiritual response in the listener. When facing a choice between following the accepted rules of musical composition or using the Affect best suited to the scriptural text, Handel almost exclusively chose the Affect; in other words, he chose spiritual insight over compositional tradition. Overlaying the various Affects on each movement of Handel's composition, we discover the true heart and spiritual depth of the composer's magnum opus.

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9781666739046

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Reviews

"""A fascinating and deeply researched analysis, Athnos' presentation of the underpinnings of this well-known masterwork rings true to me as a composer and conductor. His grasp of the organizational arc of Messiah as he lays out connections between its disparate internal components shows that he can view it all with not only a musical eye, but a spiritual one as well. I recommend this to anyone seeking a fresh and deeper understanding of Handel's timeless magnum opus."" --Gary Fry, Emmy-winning composer ""Handel's Messiah is a treasure trove of information for anyone interested in researching, performing, or just listening to this magnificent oratorio. This book connects all the dots as to how Messiah is put together with regards to the text and the music. I have had the privilege of conducting Messiah several times in my career, and I sure could have used this guide in my own preparation!"" --Michael Duff, musical director ""As a lover of Handel's Messiah, I have always been intrigued by the wide appeal of a work that is so overtly Christian. Athnos' book helped me to understand how Handel deployed musical forms, often subversively, to engage the human heart (or to use the Baroque term, our 'affects') and even bypass our cognitive 'defenses.' More importantly, Athnos' book has helped me better experience something I already enjoyed. It can do the same for you."" --Marshall Brown, senior pastor, Grace Presbyterian Church of the North Shore ""How is it that Messiah, which took Handel only about three weeks to compose, continues to captivate audiences nearly three centuries on? Athnos' book gives us an intriguing basis on which we might begin to answer that question, showing that there is a lot more going on here than inspiring words and pretty notes. I highly recommend this book to anyone, performer or listener, who wishes to enhance their understanding of Handel's spiritual intent."" --Jim Vogler, partner, Barack Ferrazzano"

Author Information

Gregory S. Athnos is emeritus professor of music from North Park University in Chicago, where he served for thirty-two years as conductor and lecturer in music history and literature. He conducted numerous Messiahs, including the first performances in Russia and Estonia since the Bolshevik Revolution. Athnos is the author of three books: The Art of the Roman Catacombs (2011), The Easter Jesus and the Good Friday Church (2011), and his autobiography Eat In Harmony (2016).

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