The power of Handel's "Messiah" pulled the composer out of a low point in his life and lifted him - and his music - to immortal heights.
For more than two and a half centuries, the beloved composition has drawn musicians to perform and audiences to delight in this grandiose tribute to the life of Jesus Christ. Locally, the holiday tradition is performed each year by the Messiah Choir, which is composed of both professional and amateur vocalists and musicians who practice each Sunday afternoon, October through December.
Under the direction of Keith Rasmussen, the Messiah Choir will present Handel's masterpiece in two concerts - at 7:30 on Dec. 4 at Beymer Memorial United Methodist Church, 700 N. Lake Howard Drive in Winter Haven; and at 4 p.m. on Dec. 6 at St. Ann Catholic Church, 1265 Robinson Drive in Haines City.
Soloists include Patrice Rasmussen, soprano; Mindy Mabry, contralto; Robert Wilson, tenor; and Phillip Dvoracsek, bass.
The choir is accompanied by Patty Muller on harpsichord and Kim Reisinger on organ. Muller, who has played the harpsichord for many performances over the years, is no stranger to the musical community. She is well known for her performances in church concerts, Bach Festival events and The Messiah Choir.
"These are people who have sung 'The Messiah' for years and are just steeped in the music," Keith Rasmussen said.
The 30-voice choir is not as large as those in years past, yet produces a rich sound nonetheless.
"The choir is smaller, but it has the best balance we've had," said Rasmussen, who is directing his third Messiah Choir performance this year.
ASSOCIATION'S RESURRECTION
The Messiah Choir is under the auspices of The Messiah Association of Polk County.
The association is a reformation of the Messiah Association of Winter Haven, founded by Bob Branson in 1953, as the first musical performance organization in Polk County. Branson directed the chorus for 49 years before retiring. Bob Custer and John Anderson also served as conductors during the few years before the association took a brief hiatus in 2006.
Dr. Wiley Koon spearheaded the resurrection of the organization and the choir musical direction of Rasmussen. The association was reorganized during 2007-08 by board members of the former association and new board members from the community.
"The Messiah Association is open to anyone who wants to support the music," said Lawson, the association's president. "You don't have to sing to join."
Annual dues are $25.
"Some people have to hear 'The Messiah' each Christmas and some people have to sing it," Rasmussen explained.
Bob and Judi Custer belong to the latter group.
"It's fun," said Bob Custer, who directed the choir for three seasons when Branson stepped down in 2002. "It's fun being on the white side of the baton."
Judi Custer describes "The Messiah" and singing it as part of the Christmas tradition.
"It enhances the holiday," she said.
FROM DEPRESSION TO REDEMPTION
George Frideric Handel composed "Messiah" in 28 days in 1741 during a time when, according to Rasmussen, he was dealing with depression and health issues.
Written for charity, the piece presents the life of Jesus Christ in two parts. The first part, based on The Bible's books of Isaiah, Malachi and Luke, vocalizes prophecies and the birth of the coming Messiah.
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Handel's Messiah is a traditional Christmas song.
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The second part, known as "The Redemption Portion," has its roots in the scriptures found in Isaiah, Psalms, Hebrews, Romans and Revelation.
"It was common for (Handel) to compose in short, creative bursts," said Rasmussen, adding that perhaps the composer found the creativity because the piece was written for a foundling hospital.
"It was written for somebody else, not for himself. Because he wrote it to feed the hungry, the poor and the oppressed, this may have inspired his creativity like nothing ever had before," Rasmussen said.
Bob Custer enjoys singing pieces by Handel because it is "good music."
"The Messiah" is special, though.
"It represents the Christian philosophy and theology," Bob Custer said. "Everybody has a heritage, a past, and this is a cultural tradition."
Joyce Lawson first sang, 'The Messiah' while in high school at the Summerlin Institute (Now Bartow High School) in the 1950s. She's been singing with the Messiah Choir for 15 years.
"I like the camaraderie. I enjoy the spirit of the people," she said.
Lawson said "The Messiah" draws folks for different reasons.
"For some of them, it is a connection with the past. For others, is a love of baroque music," she explained. "Most of us in the chorus do this because we love the music. It grows on you over the years."
Rasmussen smiles with amusement when asked about the tradition of standing during the "Hallelujah Chorus," perhaps the best-known section of, "The Messiah."
Popular tradition holds that the king of England was so moved by the music that he stood up during the chorus. Because the king rose from his seat, so did everyone else in the audience.
"There's no clear evidence that I've found to support this," Rasmussen said. "It is an exalted work and if somebody was able to attach a king to that, it would bring it more resect."
But he believes the practice is appropriate.
"I see it more as a sign of respect and admiration for the beauty of that work because it is well done," Rasmussen said.
For more information about The Messiah Association or the upcoming performances, contact Lawson by e-mail at jklpt1965@msn.com or by phone at 863-324-1317.
