Handel with care

In many ways it is a rather humorous commercial and difficult to refrain from smiling as the large group begins to sing "Hallelujah" from Handel's "Messiah", one of the great and certainly most known works from the Baroque period of music and a popular oratorio often heard during the Christmas season. The story goes that King George, while enjoying the amazing music of Handel, grew weary of sitting that long and stood at the beginning of the chorus titled "Hallelujah" thus causing the audience to respond in kind. Tradition now requires the standing during any singing of this chorus.

Incidentally, as I write this blog, I cannot help but remind the readers that George Frederick Handel(1685-1759) composed this marvelous oratorio in 24 days and it is largely regarded as his greatest work and one of the most significant religious works in the history of music. Unfortunately, as often occurs with music, literature, or art that is so strong as to achieve popularity from the masses as well as garnering respect from experts in the field, "Messiah" and "Hallelujah" chorus in particular has become so common place as to be considered cliched and, sadly, at least to some, almost comical. In the case of the airline commercial, the good news presented results in an outburst of the well-known Handel choral work with the intention of eliciting smiles and joy with the proposed product.

Not intending to be a purist nor to be labeled part of the cultural elite, nor to be awashed in some sort of self-designed, pearl-laden sanctimonious criteria of excellence, nevertheless, it bothers me on several levels that the commercial uses the theme from "Hallelujah" to extol the virtues of its product which in this case happens to be no fees attached to a flight service. I suppose it is more enjoyable to sing "Hallalujah" than simply to cheer or give high fives or jump in excitement or to exclaim the collective happiness of this event, but in truth, I believe it lowers the meaning of Handel's marvelous score, turning it into a commodity to be used for comic relief.

It just seems to me that something should remain true to its form and purpose in this world and of all the pieces of music worthy to honored for its divine inspired brilliance, "Messiah" stands at the top. Furthermore the chorus was composed to honor our Lord, lifting Him above all others and recognizing His status as a deity, the son of God, and as the Savior, for a moment of great joy and exultation.

Certainly there is nothing wrong with celebration and who am I to question the happiness of a group of people at receiving a great bargain. With the current economic condition brought on by escalating fuel costs, it is no surprise that a person would rejoice over any kind of savings or financial benefit. But I posture that "Hallelujah" chorus from Handel's "Messiah" is deserving of greater respect than to provide an insidious and most likely evanescent emotion with little to no meaning.