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Handel, George Frederic. (1685–1759). Handel's Songs Selected from his Oratorios - THE 1ST PRINTING OF SONGS FROM THE MESSIAH. London: I. Walsh. [1758].

Handel's Songs Selected from his Oratorios for the Harpsicord, Voice, Hoboy or German Flute. Volume IV. Volume 4 only of Walsh's collection, containing songs 241 to 320. Oblong folio. Engraved throughout. Title (vb); table of songs (vb); 499 - 646 pp music. Contemporary half calf, marbled boards with gilt stamped title plate to front. Title somewhat creased, else fine throughout, binding rubbed.

This collection contains the first printings of four songs from Messiah: 301. For Behold, Darkness shall cover the earth... The people that walked in darkness...302. Thou shalt break them. 303. Death, where is thy Sting. Advertised on February 18, 1758, these first printings were sprinkled into this collection without acknowledgement that they were from the Messiah, as Handel had banned publication of the score during his lifetime. The first printing of the vocal score was not issued until 1763, and the full score in 1767. Smith 197/8. Very rare.

Handel's most celebrated work, the English-language oratorio was composed in 1741, the text compiled from the King James Bible and the Coverdale Psalter by Charles Jennens. It was first performed in Dublin on 13 April, 1742 and received its London premiere nearly a year later. After an initially modest public reception, the oratorio gained in popularity, eventually becoming one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral works in Western music.

Handel's "Messiah retains the iconic status it had acquired by 1750 and has never relinquished, and will no doubt continue to do so while the great Christian festivals are celebrated, but it now takes its place alongside many other peaks of Handel’s achievement which a happy combination of scholarly advocacy and the enthusiasm of practical musicians has, after much struggle, revealed." Anthony Hicks in Grove Music Online

Handel, George Frederic. (1685–1759) Handel's Songs Selected from his Oratorios - THE 1ST PRINTING OF SONGS FROM THE MESSIAH

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Handel, George Frederic. (1685–1759). Handel's Songs Selected from his Oratorios - THE 1ST PRINTING OF SONGS FROM THE MESSIAH. London: I. Walsh. [1758].

Handel's Songs Selected from his Oratorios for the Harpsicord, Voice, Hoboy or German Flute. Volume IV. Volume 4 only of Walsh's collection, containing songs 241 to 320. Oblong folio. Engraved throughout. Title (vb); table of songs (vb); 499 - 646 pp music. Contemporary half calf, marbled boards with gilt stamped title plate to front. Title somewhat creased, else fine throughout, binding rubbed.

This collection contains the first printings of four songs from Messiah: 301. For Behold, Darkness shall cover the earth... The people that walked in darkness...302. Thou shalt break them. 303. Death, where is thy Sting. Advertised on February 18, 1758, these first printings were sprinkled into this collection without acknowledgement that they were from the Messiah, as Handel had banned publication of the score during his lifetime. The first printing of the vocal score was not issued until 1763, and the full score in 1767. Smith 197/8. Very rare.

Handel's most celebrated work, the English-language oratorio was composed in 1741, the text compiled from the King James Bible and the Coverdale Psalter by Charles Jennens. It was first performed in Dublin on 13 April, 1742 and received its London premiere nearly a year later. After an initially modest public reception, the oratorio gained in popularity, eventually becoming one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral works in Western music.

Handel's "Messiah retains the iconic status it had acquired by 1750 and has never relinquished, and will no doubt continue to do so while the great Christian festivals are celebrated, but it now takes its place alongside many other peaks of Handel’s achievement which a happy combination of scholarly advocacy and the enthusiasm of practical musicians has, after much struggle, revealed." Anthony Hicks in Grove Music Online