Handel: For Unto Us A Child Is Born From The Messiah

Question 1

General information about band

Answer 1

George Frideric Handel was born in Halle, Germany in 1685.
Esther,Saul and Israel in Egypt.
Most famous messiah-written in 1741 and received first performance in Dublin.

Question 2

Instrumentation

Answer 2

Violin1 and violin2, tenors and sopranos, altos, basses.
Oratorio.

Question 3

Melody

Answer 3

0.00- violin1 introduces theme A which is imitated by violin2.
0.28- the sopranos melismatic extension of born is combined contrapuntally with theme B1 in the tenors.
0.00- the sequential semiquaver movement in parallel sixths anticipates theme C and the concluding perfect cadence is preceded by syncopations and a trill.
1.30- reintroduces earlier thematic material (A) and (B1) in the sopranos, tenors imitate (A) and continue with (C),(B2) in sopranos and basses, (D) in altos and basses.

Question 4

Harmony and tonality

Answer 4

G major.
1.18- dotted rhythm,major tonality, homophonic use of the full choir and repeated semiquaver patterns in the violins combine to convey the majesty implied by the text:”Wonderful, counsellor,the mighty God.”.
2.56- theme A begins in the basses but the answering sopranos are harmonised homophonically by the full choir.
0.43- the altos followed by the basses and the final “unto us” is set to a new descending triadic phrase (B2).

Question 5

Time signature

Answer 5

4/4