THIS year, instead of Christmas carols, we are featuring excerpts from Part 1 of Handel’s Messiah, which is concerned with the birth of Jesus as foretold by the prophets of the Old Testament and reported in the gospels of Luke and Matthew.
Recitative: ‘There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.’ (Luke 2, v.8)
Accompagnato: ‘And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.’ (Luke 2, v.9)
Recitative: ‘And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.’ (Luke 2, 10–11)
Accompagnato: ‘And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,’ (Luke 2, v.13)
Chorus: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, good will toward men.’ (Luke 2, v.14)
This performance is by Lynne Dawson with the Brandenburg Consort and the choir of King’s College Cambridge, conducted by Stephen Cleobury.
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