Handel's 'Messiah' (1741)
Much of the first part of 'Messiah' is based on texts which are read during Advent and Christmastide. So here is Handel's musical commentary on some of this year's readings!
Sunday 29th November - The First Sunday of Advent
- Prelude: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (BWV 645) – Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
- Communion: Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (BWV 659) – Bach
- Postlude: Toccata on 'Veni Emmanuel' – Andrew Carter (b.1939)
Sunday 6th December - The Second Sunday of Advent
- Prelude: But who may abide / And he shall purify ('Messiah') – George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
- Communion: Ev'ry valley ('Messiah') - Handel
- Postlude: And the glory of the Lord ('Messiah') - Handel
Sunday 13th December - The Third Sunday of Advent
- Prelude: Rejoice greatly ('Messiah') - Handel
- Communion: Rejoice in the Lord alway – Anon (Mulliner Book)
- Postlude: Overture ('Messiah') – Handel
Sunday 20th December - The Fourth Sunday of Advent
- Prelude: O little town of Bethlehem – Gordon Phillips (1908-91)
- Communion: Es ist ein Ros entsprungen – Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
- Postlude: Vom Himmel hoch – Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706)
Thurs. 24th December - Christmas Eve (Midnight Mass)
- Prelude: The people that walked in darkness ('Messiah') - Handel
- Postlude: For unto us a child is born ('Messiah') - Handel
Friday 25th December - Christmas Day
- Prelude: How beautiful are the feet ('Messiah') - Handel
- Communion: He shall feed his flock ('Messiah') - Handel
- Postlude: Hallelujah ('Messiah') - Handel
Sunday 27th December - The First Sunday after Christmas
- Prelude: Sinfonia ('Christmas Oratorio') - Bach
- Communion: In dulci jubilo – Dieterich Buxtehude (1637-1707)
- Postlude: How lovely is thy dwelling place ('Requiem') – Brahms
Sunday 3rd January - The Second Sunday after Christmas
- Prelude: Prelude on 'Whence is that goodly fragrance' – Harrison Oxley (1933-2009)
- Communion: The Holy Boy – John Ireland (1879-1962)
- Postlude: Fiat Lux – Theodore Dubois (1837-1924)
Sunday 10th January - The First Sunday after the Epiphany / The Baptism of the Lord
- Prelude: Christ, unser Herr, zum Jordan kam (BWV 684) – Bach
- Communion: Air ('Water Music') – Handel
- Postlude: Be not afraid ('Elijah') – Felix Mendelssohn
A Wedding Music Season
From now until the beginning of Lent, I play a selection of music from my wedding repertoire.
Sunday 17th January - The Second Sunday after the Epiphany
- Prelude: Ave Maria - Schubert
- Communion: Jesu, joy of man's desiring - Bach
- Postlude: The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba ('Solomon') - Handel
Sunday 24th January - The Third Sunday after the Epiphany
- Prelude: Chanson de Matin – Edward Elgar (1857-1934)
- Communion: Air (Suite no.3) – Bach
- Postlude: Imperial March – Elgar
Sunday 31st January - The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
- Prelude: Salut d'amour – Edward Elgar (1857-1934)
- Communion: Meditation ('Thais') – Jules Massenet (1842-1912)
- Postlude: War March of the Priests ('Athalia') – Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
Sunday 7th February - The Sunday before Lent
- Prelude: A Trumpet Minuet – Alfred Hollins (1865-1942)
- Communion: Après un Rêve – Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924)
- Postlude: Grand Triumphal Chorus (Op.47 no.2) – Alexandre Guilmant (1837-1911)