Beautiful...

A magnificent way to start the day - tune into this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=oPiQE4HjcxA
(copy and paste into your browser-put volume up high)

Isn't that magnificent? Wanting to get a new recording of Handel's Messiah for this Christmas season, I was drawn to an ad in one of our local shops:

Messiah Performed by the Cambridge Singers
with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
2CD Setw/Booklet $24.99 Sale $19.99.

I'm sure it's a great recording but I really wanted to hear an excerpt. I checked out You Tube this morning and although I didn't find that particular one yet, I found lots and lots of fabulous clips. The above clip was the second one I listened to. Now I have lots more to listen to before I decide. Any suggestions?

We have had this particular recording of the Messiah for many years. It's just wonderful and I put it on at about this time of the year and play it through pretty well every day until the New Year. It's wonderful to have this powerful music combined with pure Scripture wash our home with God's message of love, joy, peace and hope.

 

Both Al and I have sung this oratorio and exerpts of it over the years and have our own copies. When I was a student at Mennonite Brethren Bible College in Winnipeg in the early '60's our Conducting Class was given the assignment to perform this work, each student taking one piece to learn and conduct. It was a tremendous experience. Some of my classmates were brave enough, and of course talented enough, to sing the arias! We all sang the choruses. Imagine me conducting the "Hallelujah Chorus", since that was the lot that fell my way when Victor Martens, our instructor, randomly assigned our parts. I'm so grateful to have been a part of that memorable assignment.