Messiah. The Word Became Music

When we were thinking about summarizing the masterpiece Messiah by Georg Friedrich Händel in one sentence, paraphrasing an evangelical phrase often quoted during Christmas came to mind. The essence of tonight's performance will be the word that became music. It is not an opera, though full of emotions. It is not a liturgy, though, based on biblical texts. It is not a concert "in honor of" – but a moving story about the light born at the darkest point of the year.

Händel created an oratorio unlike any other. It all began in 1741 when the composer – disheartened, struggling with illness and an unkind public – wrote the work in just 24 days to redefine his music and ensure his immortality.

The first movement of the oratorio speaks of hope. However, it is not a typical Christmas idyll. We will hear the words of the prophets announcing the coming of the Messiah – the Child who will change the world. From the darkness emerges the light. The people who walked in darkness saw a great light, and the tenor sang in the first minutes of the oratorio. The music in this section is clear and joyful but full of seriousness. It is not triumph – it is focus and anticipation before the birth. The finale of this part is the famous For unto us a Child is born, where Handel combines the joy of a child with royal power.

The second movement is a journey through suffering – but shown in a completely different way than in the passions. It is not a story of Christ's Passion but a reflection on rejection, sacrifice, and redemption. The choir All we like sheep have gone astray sounds almost light before transitioning into the chill of seriousness. The central point of this part is the aria He was despised – an alto aria about loneliness and disdain. Then comes Hallelujah, the most famous fragment of the work, performed thousands of times, one of the most famous musical pieces in the history of humanity.

The third movement is a musical elevation. The soprano sings I know that my Redeemer liveth. Hope becomes a reality. In the finale, the choir sings Worthy is the Lamb and the great Amen, like a light that does not fade but stays in memory forever.

In December, when the days are shortest and thoughts longest, Messiah reminds us that the light comes slowly but inevitably. Because in this work, the word truly became music, and that's why it sounds different. Stronger, truer, striking straight to the heart. We wish you light, emotion, and truth for Christmas – just like the music brings.

Hallelujah from Handel's Messiah performed by the Warsaw Philharmonic Choir and the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Martin Haselböck:

Today’s performance of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah is entrusted to outstanding artists. The Symphony Orchestra of the Philharmonic in Szczecin will perform together with the Polish Radio Choir – Lusławice, one of Poland’s most distinguished vocal ensembles, renowned for its precision and creative approach to diverse musical styles. The solo parts will be sung by: Eleonore Cockerham, a soprano from Yorkshire who began her international career as a teenager and now appears on prestigious stages while also recording for film and television productions; Kacper Szelążek, a highly regarded countertenor specializing in Baroque repertoire, who performs at Europe’s leading opera houses and collaborates with renowned conductors and ensembles; Sylwester Smulczyński, a tenor associated with the Polish Royal Opera, distinguished by his rich stage experience in opera and oratorio repertoire and recipient of the Silver Cross of Merit; and Jaromír Nosek, a Czech bass, regularly invited to international festivals, collaborating with acclaimed ensembles and featured on over 50 CD recordings. The concert will be conducted by Przemysław Neumann