Foundling Hospital Anthem: Difference between revisions
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The '''Foundling Hospital Anthem''' ([[HWV]] 268), also known by its longer title ''Blessed are they that consider the poor'', is a choral [[anthem]] composed by [[George Frideric Handel]] in 1749. It was written for the [[Foundling Hospital]] in London and was first performed in the chapel there. Written 10 years before his death, it was Handel's last piece of English church music.{{sfn|Burrows|2012|pages=434}} |
The '''''Foundling Hospital Anthem''''' ([[HWV]] 268), also known by its longer title ''"Blessed are they that considereth the poor"''{{sic}}{{efn|name=eth|Although the correct conjugation should be "Blessed are they that ''consider'' the poor", Burrows notes that Handel apparently disregarded correct grammar, adding the ''-eth'' ending, as he also did in the ''Peace Anthem'': "How beautiful are the feet of them that ''bringeth''…"}}, is a choral [[anthem]] composed by [[George Frideric Handel]] in 1749. It was written for the [[Foundling Hospital]] in London and was first performed in the chapel there. Written 10 years before his death, it was Handel's last piece of English church music.{{sfn|Burrows|2012|pages=434}} |
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==Background== |
==Background== |
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==Composition== |
==Composition== |
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The ''Foundling Hospital Anthem'' is compiled from material originating in other works by Handel, including movements from the ''[[The Ways of Zion Do Mourn / Funeral Anthem for Queen Caroline|Funeral Anthem for Queen Caroline]]'' (1737), a sombre chorus that had been edited out of ''[[Susanna (Handel)|Susanna]]'' (1748), and most notably, the the "[[Messiah Part II#44|Hallelujah]]" chorus from ''[[Messiah (Handel)|Messiah]]'', which concludes the anthem.{{sfn|Burrows|2012|pages=434}} |
The ''Foundling Hospital Anthem'' is compiled from material originating in other works by Handel, including movements from the ''[[The Ways of Zion Do Mourn / Funeral Anthem for Queen Caroline|Funeral Anthem for Queen Caroline]]'' (1737), a sombre chorus that had been edited out of ''[[Susanna (Handel)|Susanna]]'' (1748), and most notably, the the "[[Messiah Part II#44|Hallelujah]]" chorus from ''[[Messiah (Handel)|Messiah]]'', which concludes the anthem.{{sfn|Burrows|2012|pages=434}} |
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It is not known why Handel chose to conclude this work with the "Hallelujah" chorus; the subject matter of the anthem is concerned with reward for the charitable, and Handel he may have intended to draw a theological connection with "the Kingdom of this world" becoming "the kingdom of our Lord", as illustrated in [[Parables of Jesus|Christ's Parable]] of [[The Sheep and the Goats]] ({{bible|Matthew|25:31-46|KJV}}). Equally, Handel may simply have wanted a rousing conclusion to the anthem.{{sfn|Burrows|2012|pages=434}} |
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===Text=== |
===Text=== |
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{{poemquote|style=font-style:italic| |
{{poemquote|style=font-style:italic| |
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Blessed are they that considereth the poor and needy: |
Blessed are they that considereth the poor and needy: {{efn|name=eth}} |
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the Lord will deliver them in time of trouble, |
the Lord will deliver them in time of trouble, |
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the Lord preserve them and comfort them. |
the Lord preserve them and comfort them. |
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Hallelujah! |
Hallelujah! |
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}} |
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==Notes== |
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{{notelist}} |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 20:14, 25 July 2017
| Foundling Hospital Anthem | |
|---|---|
| by George Frideric Handel | |
.jpg) The Foundling Hospital Chapel, venue of Handel's premiere | |
| Full title | Blessed are they that considereth the poor and needy |
| Catalogue | HWV 268 |
| Period | Baroque |
| Genre | Choral anthem |
| Text | adapted from the King James Bible |
| Language | English |
| Composed | 1749 |
| Dedication | The Foundling Hospital |
| Movements | 4 |
| Premiere | |
| Date | May 1749 |
| Location | The Foundling Hospital Chapel, Bloomsbury, London |
| Conductor | George Frideric Handel |
| Performers | Children of the Chapel Royal |
The Foundling Hospital Anthem (HWV 268), also known by its longer title "Blessed are they that considereth the poor" [sic][a], is a choral anthem composed by George Frideric Handel in 1749. It was written for the Foundling Hospital in London and was first performed in the chapel there. Written 10 years before his death, it was Handel's last piece of English church music.[1]
Background
The Foundling Hospital was a charitable institution founded in 1739 by the philanthropic sea captain Thomas Coram to house and educate abandoned and orphaned children. It was established under royal charter by King George II and was supported by many noted figures of the day in high society and the arts. The portrait painter and cartoonist William Hogarth was a founding governor, and thanks to his influence, the Foundling Hospital grew to become a very fashionable charity, counting among its benefactors a number of renowned artists. Under Hogarth's direction, artists such as William Hogarth, Joshua Reynolds, Allan Ramsay and Thomas Gainsborough exhibited paintings at the Hospital, creating what is thought to be Britain's first public art gallery. The composer George Frederic Handel was invited to put on a benefit concert in the Hospital chapel to raise funds, and for the occasion he composed the Foundling Hospital Anthem.[2]
Composition
The Foundling Hospital Anthem is compiled from material originating in other works by Handel, including movements from the Funeral Anthem for Queen Caroline (1737), a sombre chorus that had been edited out of Susanna (1748), and most notably, the the "Hallelujah" chorus from Messiah, which concludes the anthem.[1]
It is not known why Handel chose to conclude this work with the "Hallelujah" chorus; the subject matter of the anthem is concerned with reward for the charitable, and Handel he may have intended to draw a theological connection with "the Kingdom of this world" becoming "the kingdom of our Lord", as illustrated in Christ's Parable of The Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31–46). Equally, Handel may simply have wanted a rousing conclusion to the anthem.[1]
Text
The anthem opens with text adapted from Psalm 41[2] and the Book of Job (Psalm 41 and Job 29:11). The famous "Hallelujah" chorus is derived from the Book of Revelation (Revelation 19:6 and Revelation 11:15).
Blessed are they that considereth the poor and needy: [a]
the Lord will deliver them in time of trouble,
the Lord preserve them and comfort them.
They deliver the poor that crieth, the fatherless
and him that hath none to help him.
The Lord will comfort them.
O God, who from the suckling’s mouth
ordaineth early praise,
of such as worship Thee in truth
accept the humble lays.
The charitables shall be had in everlasting remembrance
and the good will shine as the brightness of the firmament.
Comfort them, O Lord, when they are sick:
make thou their bed in sickness.
Keep them alive, let them be blessed upon the earth
and not deliver them unto their foes.
Hallelujah!
The Kingdom of this world
is become the kingdom of our Lord
and of His Christ,
and He shall reign forever and ever.
Hallelujah!
Notes
References
- ^ a b c Burrows 2012, pp. 434.
- ^ a b Howell, Caro (13 March 2014). "How Handel's Messiah helped London's orphans – and vice versa". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 25 July 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)
Burrows, Donald (2012). Handel. Oxford University Press, USA. ISBN 9780199737369. Retrieved 25 July 2017. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
External links
- Free scores of the Foundling Hospital Anthem, HWV 268 in the Choral Public Domain Library (ChoralWiki)