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George Frideric Handel, Composer of Messiah (The Sowers) (Book/ Paperback)

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Composer of Messiah

Listening to, or participating in, the singing of Handel's Messiah is now as much a part of Christmas celebrations as the buying of gifts. And that experience will be richer yet for people who realize the series of miracles that were required to bring this oratorio into being.

While a lad of seven, Handel's barber-surgeon father assured him that he would rather his son's fingers be cut off than that he become a musician. To emphasize this, he burned all of the boy's musical toys in the fireplace. Nonetheless, young George Frideric continued to practice on a muted clavichord hidden in the attic.

Later, Handel had to overcome a paralysis of his right arm. Shortly before working on Messiah, he was so pressed for money he feared debtor's prison. Yet Providence brought him to that momentous time in his life. After composing the "Hallelujah Chorus," he exclaimed through tears to a servant, "I did think I did see all heaven before me, and the great God Himself!"

At the first London performance of the Messiah, King George II rose to his feet during the singing of the "Hallelujah Chorus," and since he was King, the rest of the audience rose with him. Thus began the custom which continues to this day.

Altogether, Handel composed as much music as the combined works of Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig Beethoven. Much of his music still lives to glorify the God whom Handel served with his great talent.

The Sowers Series of biographies brings to life the history of real men and women who sought to honor God in their daily lives and work. Showing that one does not have to become a missionary in a far off land to serve God, most of these stories show how ordinary people did amazing things with a strong faith in the one true God of the Bible.

The heart of man (or woman) is reflected in how he or she works. The fruits of these men and women are evident to those who knew them We are thankful that their stories have been told so that future generations can look to heroes of the past for guidance, insight and inspiration to redeem the time God has given and work to glorify His kingdom in this life as an example to others who follow. Why get stuck in a world of fantasy and fairy tales when real life is so full of adventure?

The editors of the Sowers Series of biographies for young people have collected details that are often left out and forgotten by modern text books and government schools. Inspire your children, and yourselves with a library of great learning.

About the Author(s)

Charles Ludwig is a published author of children's books and young adult books. Some of the published credits of Charles Ludwig include Jason Lee, Winner of the Northwest (Sower Series) (Sower Series), Michael Faraday, Father of Electronics, George Frideric Handel, Composer of Messiah (Sowers).