Messiah in Full Score

by Georg Friedrich Händel, Opera and Choral Scores

The best-known and most beloved large-scale musical work in the English-speaking world, Messiah was first performed in Dublin over 200 years ago to benefit local charities. Since that time, it has given millions of performers their primary experience in singing classical music. Today it is the supreme example of the English oratorio. A meditation on the life of Christ, the work is a brilliant amalgam of traditional Italian opera, English anthem, and German Passion.
Reprinted from the authoritative edition prepared by noted musical scholar Alfred Mann, this inexpensive, full-score edition will be welcomed by students, musicians, singers, and music lovers who will want to study and savor every detail of this glorious masterpiece.

Genres: Music, Christmas, Reference, Scores, Nonfiction, Art, Religion

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1741

About the author

Works of German-British composer George Frideric Handel include the orchestral Water Music (1717) and the oratorio Messiah (1742).

Andrés Segovia arranged his works.

Born the same year as Johann Sebastian Bach, Händel desired to study against the wishes of his father. He, a violinist in the opera house of Hamburg, then at 21 years of age in 1706 traveled to Italy. On his return, he accepted the position of director to the elector of Hannover but quickly left for England. After arrival of Handel, the elector of Hannover reigned as king of England adn secured position of Händel within the sphere of the country.

His first operas for the royal academy of operated as a public house; however, when Italians lost their popularity, he turned to the most fame. Händel went blind but continued to play the harpsicord at his performances before his death. People later buried the body of Charles Dickens next to his grave in the corner of poets of Westminster abbey.

Reviews

[Trice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been singing bits of this with choirs since high school (thank you forever Mr. Godfrey!) and always been amazed by its beauty and depth, caught up into a vision that draws on all scripture. But I will forever remember today's listening. My uni organized a trip for the foreign teachers and the international affairs office to go to a Miao village (this people has also been known as the Hmong) to a performance by their church choir which has been singing praises together for a hundred+ years. They performed several pieces in the Miao language, 3 of which are adapted from this oratorio - hearing 'For Unto Us a Child is Born' in Miao and going on to the 'Hallelujah' - a picture of heaven with all the peoples singing, and it was hard not to weep. Hallelujah!

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

For several months prior to Easter, I gathered together with other members of my Church to learn and practice the music of Handel's Messiah each Sunday evening. What began as simply practicing our music transformed into a beautiful study of the Savior's life as we immersed ourselves in Handel's music and the words of the scriptures. We had many wonderful musicians involved with our performance, but many of those involved were amateurs. Our conductor reminded us to keep our eyes on her and to follow her lead. Despite our inexperience, despite the mistakes we made, we raised our voices together to praise our Lord and Savior. And notwithstanding our imperfections, the Spirit accompanied us. It was an amazing experience to sing a masterpiece like The Messiah.

As we performed, I realized that this was not meant to be simply a one time event. Each and every day of our lives is meant to be an expression of our praise for our Savior. Our purpose here on earth is to live such a masterpiece. And our lack of experience, our imperfections, our mistakes will not detract from our performance if we follow our Leader, our Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

[Huda Aweys]

ماعندناش كتب مزيكا متداولة كتير في مصر و الوطن العربي عشان كده لسه موش واضحلى اوى معنى انى اقرا اوبرا :) ؟! هل معناه انى اقرا النوت الموسيقية بتاعتها ؟ .. و لا الحوار الكلامى اللى فيها ؟ .. و لا الاتنين ؟؟ .. عموما باحاول اقرا الاتنين على اي حال
:)
و مبدئيا الـ
Oratorio
هو المعزوفات الغنائية المقتبسة من الكتاب المقدس

[Mark Woodland · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to know what to say about one of the most magnificent pieces of music ever composed that hasn't already been said before. This score (the complete solos, chorus, text and notes) has been one of my treasured possessions since high school, when I performed as part of a 700 voice choir with a symphony orchestra; that's an experience I'll never forget. That aside, the music is so powerful, so emotional and so majestic, and the arrangements so intricate, that it remains as one of the prime examples of an oratorio. I think it's deservedly so. To me, there's no way to experience it like singing the music, but many people can't do that. However, a non-musical reader can still appreciate the work (more than just the hearing of it) by listening to a recording of the work and following along in the book. Seeing the words and the interweaving of the vocal parts while hearing them is a valuable exercise in music appreciation. This version is the professional standard version; I'd recommend buying no other if you're interested. Also, there's a version that's only the choruses. I don't recommend that, because it deprives you of being able to follow along with the solos. Besides, maybe you'll sing one of them some day.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first year following along with the score while listening to Handel's Messiah. It enhanced my understanding of the music, and I look forward to my girls having enough music instruction under their belts to gain similar benefits from it in future years.

Update, 12/21/22:

This year we were less faithful about following along in the score while listening to the Messiah. But served as a great reference, and we'll certainly be using it more in future years.

Update, 12/25/23:

This year our Messiah score got to come along to a live performance of The Messiah, as well as accompanying our daily listening. As the girls' sightreading gets better, they are better able to follow along.

Update, 12/24/25:

As my kids get older and advance in their music studies, they appreciate and enjoy The Messiah more and more, and being able to follow along in the score adds to the experience.

[Bethany Willcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This work is timeless, absolutely incomparable.

[Addie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What better way to celebrate Christmas than to sing the whole Messiah?!! I listened to the musical performance while I read the score lyrics & sang along, & I loved it! I was happy to find that I have heard & recognized more of the pieces than I thought I did. And I had a blast starting to learn the alto line, as opposed to the soprano line which is what I sung in high school.

[Linnea Kroeger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first time I had ever listened to the whole piece, and I was reading along while listening. It was so good! Now I want to see it live!

I listened to a recording of the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir perform this, and while they did a great job, there were a few parts that they skipped over, so I had to find a different rendition for those parts.

[Tomi Alger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a presentation of the lyrics for Handel's Messiah, accompanied by paintings by Ben Moser. The Scripture references are included. Even as the words are read, the reader can think of the music the accompanies them. A quick and inspiring read.

[Arleen Faustina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a vocal score, not a book to read!

[Darryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautiful. And I love that most of the text is from Isaiah.

[Jody · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will not give here a history of Handel's Messiah, nor will I attempt in any way to criticize it or him. For me, this is the single greatest piece of music written, as a whole. As a singer, the first time I sang from this score, I floundered. It was one of the most alien works I had ever attempted. Now, after two decades, several dozen performances, and countless hours of rehearsal, it is the easiest thing I sing! Where 15 minutes of some choral music leaves me fatigued, Messiah rejuvenates me! It is two or more hours of vocalises that enable me to continue on, while spiritually feeding me beside the Psalmist's "still waters." I rejoice to hear it, I exhult in singing it, and I praise Him who inspired it!

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

I try to read the score for The Messiah yearly around either the Christmas or Easter season. It's definitely one of my favorite musical pieces of all time.
The Messiah is a must-listen-to, must-read, must-see for classical music lovers.
I don't know what more I can really say other than if you get the chance to see a performance of The Messiah, you should definitely go for it. I know that in Seattle, the Seattle Symphony puts on The Messiah yearly around Christmastime at Benaroya Hall. Tickets sell really quickly though, so I'm never able to go as often as I'd like to. But I would definitely recommend going to see it if the opportunity ever presents itself.

[Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the all-time greats of Christian music, some of the pieces contained herein are so well known that many people don't even know that they know them. I sang the entire work as part of a 100+ person choir in the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, and it's a heady experience that I definitely hope to repeat someday.

[Slee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this reduction, and it doesn't weigh too much. Are there some questionable notations? Yes, but that will happen with any edition, and they are all worthy of scholarly debate, but it is accessible, the print is large enough without creating too much bulk. This is, hands down, my go-to publication of Handel's Messiah for piano and choir.

[Alice]

We chose this to go with our December study of Handel's Messiah. Bible verses selected by Charles Jennens and paintings by Bary Moser. I really enjoyed sharing this with the kids and think it would be a nice Christmas present for my parents who love (and shared with me) Handel's amazing Messiah.

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continual study as both chorister and soloist makes it impossible to put a finished date on this monumental classic. To truly appreciate it or any other work of the performing arts, however, go catch a live performance for the total experience!

[Rachel Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I am feeling stressed I often turn on this music and let it take the stress away. I love everything about it. Attending a Messiah Sing-in is a Christmas must for me each year.

[Scott L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glorious. A Masterpiece. One of the top 100 musical compositions of all time.

[K.Q. Webster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sang this for the first time last December. So much work but it was worth it. The story behind it is amazing!

[Richard Magahiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like singing the baritone choral parts at Messiah sings, and plan to do so again this Christmas season. My copy is all marked up now and somewhat dogeared.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good idea - would that they had hired a different illustrator.

[Jim Sandman · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Read" means I've listened to the Messiah dozens of times and never grow tired of its uplifting lyrics and music. I just wanted to have this copy of the completed score.

[Angela Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun sing and I'm glad I finally found my score!