The magnificent interweaving of harmonies and dialogue-like Voices in Handel’s For Unto Us A Child Is Born make it a perfect addition to the festive choral repertoire.
German-born, BritishBaroque composer George Frideric Handel originally composed this piece in 1741, for the English-language oratorio Messiah, which eventually became one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral works inWestern music. As the last song of Scene 3 of Part I of the oratorio, which addresses Isaiah's specific prophecy about the virgin birth of a Messiah, For Unto Us A Child Is Born tells the news of Christmas,thebirth of a son, in Isaiah’s words as found in the Scripture (Isaiah 9:6).
The delicate, familiar theme is introduced by the Sopranos and taken up by their counter-voices, the Tenors, later the same dialog is givenover to the Altos and Basses. The tutti culminates in 'Wonderful', 'Counselor', 'The Mighty God', 'The Everlasting Father' and 'The Prince of Peace'.
