Musically, Though...

Musically, (not spiritually) the video below of the Hallelujah Chorus left a bit to be desired.

The tempo was a bit fast, and the style was a bit too martial. Yes, this work needs to be performed with the appropriate grandeur, but it also needs to flow. It needs to live. It needs to breathe. The Chorus is what it is, it needs no veneer.

Also, when performed by professionals, as it was in the video, the singers approach it as a professional job, while the audience member looks for some personal connection to the truths of the work on the part of the performers. Or at least some sense wonderment on their part. There is little if any to be found here. I guess though I have digressed into spiritual analysis. That is hard to avoid with any part of Handel's Messiah.

However, none of this prevented the sheer beauty of the voices from shining through. The tenors, especially on the buildup of For the Lord God Omnipotent Reigneth were just, were just, -- oh, words fail so miserably at times like this -- heart-meltingly magnificent. The sopranos soared supremely, especially on The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ.

The glory of this most beautiful piece of music ever written cannot be completely obscured by mans devices or failings.