Daily Classical Music Post
George Frideric Handel: Judas Maccabaeus: “See, the Conqu’ring Hero Comes!”
The decorations are up, the holiday music is blaring in the shops; there is no mistaking what time of year it is. This December, the Daily Classical Music Post will introduce you to music composed for or inspired by holidays that occur in the month of December. There will be a little something for everyone (I hope)!
Handel: Judas Maccabaeus HWV 63 / Part 3 - 58. "See, The Conqu'ring Hero Comes!..See, The...
Judas Maccabeus was the Jewish leader who defended Judea from the Seleucids, overthrowing the invaders and restoring and rededicating the Temple of Jerusalem.
George Frideric Handel (1685–1759) composed a three-act oratorio based on 1 Maccabees and Josephus’ Jewish Antiquities. Thomas Morell wrote the libretto. In Part 1, Judas Maccabaeus becomes the leader and inspires the people. In Part 2, he rallies the people and makes them see that pagan altars must be destroyed. In Part 3, the Jewish people have been victorious, Rome agrees to an alliance with Judea, and peace comes to the land.
“See, the Conqu’ring Hero Comes!” is in Part 3, and it is a rousing and heroic chorus. Jennifer More Glagov said, “The story of a people’s triumph told in music of high drama and glorious pageantry, Judas Maccabaeus is George Frideric Handel at his heroic best, full of rousing choruses, ravishing duets, and fiery arias.”
My classical music post for today is George Frideric Handel’s Judas Maccabaeus: “See, the Conqu’ring Hero Comes!”
When those drums kick up with the chorus and trumpets, it immediately creates the scene: crowds ling the street, a procession of the victors, pillared mable edifices climbing to a cloudless blue sky, with flower petals flying in the air thrown by the spectators. Absolute triumph.