Handel: Messiah, HWV 56
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- Composer: George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
- Instrumentation (this edition): Piano Reduction, SATB Choir
- Originally for: SATB Choir, Orchestra
- Work: Messiah, HWV 56
- Work Languages: English, German
- ISMN:
- Size: 7.5 x 10.6 inches
- Pages: 300
Description
Critical Edition with the original English text by Charles Jennens as well as the German translation by Johann Gottfried Herder, including a comprehensive historical and musicological preface and detailed critical commentary.
The focus of this new edition is the Messiah as first conceived by the composer in 1741: before its first performance in Dublin in 1742, before the first London performances of the mid 1740s, before the final Foundling Hospital performances in the late 1750s. The editor succeeds in creating a 21st-century edition from the perspective of 1741, making clear that Messiah was a genius hit from the start.
Messiah 1741 – the first and only complete edition of Handel's autograph score
- Thorough information on Handel's performance practice in 1741 (including topics such as orchestration, continuo, text underlay and specific questions on interpretation)
- It offers a reconstruction of the wind parts according to contemporary sources
- Piano vocal score with contemporary vocal ornamentation
- First edition including the German text by Herder – a monument of the German enlightenment – which is contentwise and phonetically closer to Jennens' text than any other translation, therefore being a perfect singable alternative
- The appendix contains additionally the most popular and important aria versions composed after 1741 for practical reasons.
Publishers use a lot of words to describe what they sell, and we know it can be confusing. We've tried to be as clear as possible to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Below are descriptions of the terms that we use to describe the various formats that music often comes in.
Choral Score
A score for vocalists that only contains the vocal lines. The instrumental parts are not there for reference. Generally, cheaper than a vocal score and requires multiple copies for purchase.
Facsimile
Reproductions of the original hand-written scores from the composer.
Full Score
For ensemble music, this indicates that the edition contains all parts on a single system (there are not separate parts for each player). In larger ensembles, this is for the conductor.
Hardcover
Hardbound. Generally either linen-covered or half-leather.
Orchestral Parts
Similar to a wind set, this is a collection of parts. In the case of strings, the numbers listed are the number of copies included, though generally these are available individually (often with minimum quantities required).
Paperback
When publishers offer multiple bindings (e.g. hardcover) or study scores, this is the "standard" version. If you're planning to play the music, this is probably what you want.
Performance / Playing Score
A score of the music containing all parts on one system, intended for players to share. There are not separate parts for each player.
Set of Parts
For ensemble music, this indicates that there are separate individual parts for each player.
Solo Part with Piano Reduction
For solo pieces with orchestra, this is a version that contains a piano reduction of the orchestra parts. For piano pieces, two copies are typically needed for performance.
Study Score
A small (think choral size) copy of the complete score meant for studying, and not playing. They make great add-ons when learning concertos and small chamber works.
Vocal Score
A score prepared for vocalists that includes the piano/organ part or a reduction of the instrumental parts.
Wind Set
For orchestral music, this is a collection of wind and percussion parts. The specific quantities of each instrument are notated.
With Audio
In addition to the printed music, the edition contains recordings of the pieces. This may be an included CD, or access to files on the internet.
With / Without Fingering (Markings)
Some publishers prepare two copies - a pure Urtext edition that includes no fingering (or bowing) suggestions and a lightly edited version that includes a minimal number of editorial markings.
Handel: Messiah, HWV 56
