Michael Powell and Francis Rumsey recorded these two well-known arias from Handel’s Messiah to demonstrate the Regent Classic chamber organ in an accompaniment role. On the chamber organ you’ll hear either the eight-foot stopped diapason alone, or that and the four-foot flute together.
Organ Accompaniment for two Arias from Handel’s Messiah
Handel wrote Messiah to a libretto by Charles Jennens, in a remarkably short space of time, reputed to have been only about three weeks. It tells the remarkable story of Christ’s birth, passion and resurrection in a form known as oratorio that could be described as religious opera without the acting.
There are numerous recitatives (short bits of declamatory story-telling), solo arias, and rousing choruses including the well-known ‘Hallelujah’. The last one was supposed to have had George III on his feet proclaiming about Handel “he is the master of us all!”.
The first aria performed in these short extracts is the well-known “Comfort ye my people”. Sung by a tenor near the beginning of the work before the “Christmas” section, based on Old Testament writings foretelling the coming of Christ.
The second aria is “But Thou didst not leave his soul in hell”. It comes during the Passion section after Jesus’ death, describing how God did not leave his Son to moulder in hell after his death.
About Regent Classic Chamber Organs
Our digital chamber organs are a smaller scale version of our bespoke church organs offering a lightweight, flexible solution to your musical needs. The compact nature and the internal audio system make this instrument ideal for use in continuo roles alongside other musicians, or as a complement to a main organ in a cathedral or larger church. It is also perfect for smaller churches, school chapels or a home environment.
Read more about our bespoke chamber organs and/or how you can hire a chamber organ for an event or concert. We have also recorded two videos with Francis Rumsey playing Henry Purcell’s Dance for the Fairies and Bourée from Amphitryon.
We also have more videos like the one below describing our church and chamber organs in more detail on YouTube.
I have had a passion for church organs since the tender age of 12. I own and run Regent Classic Organs with a close attention to the detail that musicians appreciate; and a clear understanding of the benefits of digital technology and keeping to the traditional and emotional elements of organ playing.
