One wonderful thing about the Christmas season is hearing songs about Christ and His birth everywhere you go — yeah, in between the odes to Frosty, Santa Claus and chestnuts, there’s always a “Joy to the World,” “Silent Night” or “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” — and singing similar songs in public, getting more smiles than frowns (I like bursting into carols in my apartment complex’s laundry room, as the acoustics are terrific).
And then there’s the “Halleujah Chorus” from George Fridrich Handel’s oratorio “The Messiah” (click here for a great history of it, courtesy of Smithsonian.com). Originally performed at Eastertime, on April 13, 1742, at the Musick Hall in Dublin, Ireland, “The Messiah” is now a mainstay of Christmas concerts, and the “Halleujah Chorus” is definitely the work’s breakout hit.
During my brief stint in choir in middle school — I previously wrote about my high-school choir experiences here — we sang the chorus. Assigned to the second-soprano section, a move that represented more ambition than reality concerning my vocal range, I struggled to find the internal stepladder that would get me up to some of the piece’s more stratospheric notes, and lost my voice in the effort. I had to eventually leave choir for a couple of years, but on the upside, I did get very good at lip-syncing.
So, I hear the “Hallelujah Chorus” with a mix of exhilaration and residual throat discomfort.
But that’s my issue, not yours, so listen to the following renditions of the “Hallelujah Chorus” in pure joy …
From the South Kitsap High School Vocal Music group of Port Orchard, Washington, performing the “silent monks” version, first from 2008 and then from 2012.
And another rendition, from New Hope Oahu’s “Simply Jesus” Conference …
A flash-mob version at the Dundrum Town Centre shopping mall in Dublin (a bit of a “Hallelujah” homecoming), organized by RTE, Ireland’s national radio station …
From an American shopping mall food court …
From another mall, this time in Bremen, Germany (another “Hallelujah” homecoming) …
From the Paris Choral Society, at a mall in the French city …
From the Opera Company of Philadelphia, as part of the “Random Act of Culture” series …
From the Bach Festival Choir & The Messiah Choral Society, of Winter Park, Florida, before weary travelers at the Orlando International Airport …
After a full meal of Handel, here’s a bit of dessert — a Christmas-themed rework of Leonard Cohen’s lovely and haunting song “Hallelujah,” performed by Manhattan-based Christian band Cloverton …
In all of these, aside from the glorious music, I love to watch the faces of the listeners, especially those who find themselves confounded and moved. Beauty has a transformative power that is almost beyond human understanding, and when you marry gorgeous melodies to a divine theme, Earth and Heaven kiss.
In the words of Psalm 100 (from the King James Bible, my favorite English-language version — pity it’s missing a few books):
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing.
Know ye that the Lord, He is God; it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.