I wrote this blog a year ago for the old MusBook site; it seems timely to repost it here, for it is the season to be performing 'Messiah' again (notwithstanding it was originally intended, and indeed IS better suited, texturally, for Easter).

While I (almost) never tire of performing it (though sometimes I tire of listening to it!), I did think for a long time I was the only one to be perplexed by the placement of the 'Hallelujah' chorus.

Then I read this. It is a chastening thought--whether the thesis here is 'true' or not, it seems reasonable that we consider what is meant by the choice of texts at this point. It is surely odd that after the 'nations so furiously rage together' (no. 40) the chorus cries 'Let us break their bonds asunder' (no. 41), whereupon the tenor decries (no. 42) 'He that dwelleth in Heav'n shall laugh them to scorn; The Lord shall have them in derision', & 'Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel' (no. 43).