18th-century German, later British, Baroque composer
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Misha Glenny and his guests discuss the most famous oratorio of George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) and his librettist Charles Jennens (1700-1773). For his libretto, Jennens drew from Old and New Testament texts: prophecies about the coming of Jesus, the Messiah, the nativity, the suffering of Christ and his death and the Day of Judgement and redemption for all. Handel's Messiah had its premiere in 1742 in a secular Dublin music hall to great acclaim with a packed audience and Handel continued to adapt his Messiah for later performances, often shaping the work to the choirs or individual singers available. Messiah proved to be one of his most popular works, becoming a favourite of massed choirs around the world far beyond the scale of Handel's original.With Donald Burrows Emeritus Professor of Music at the Open UniversityRuth Smith Trustee and Council Member of the Handel InstituteAndLarry Zazzo Countertenor, and Senior Lecturer in Music at Newcastle UniversityProducer: Simon TillotsonReading list:Donald Burrows, Messiah (full score, 2 vols, Hallische Händel Ausgabe, forthcoming)Donald Burrows, Messiah (Edition Peters, 1987)Donald Burrows, Messiah, Cambridge Music Handbooks (Cambridge University Press, 1991)Donald Burrows, Handel: Master Musicians series, 2nd edition (Oxford University Press, 2012)George Frideric Handel (ed. Donald Burrows et al.), Collected Documents vol. 3 (1734-42), vol 4 (1742-50), (Cambridge University Press, 2019, 2020)G.F. Handel, facsimile ‘Messiah': the composer's autograph manuscript (British Library, 2009)G.F. Handel, facsimile the composer's Conducting Score of Messiah (Scolar Press, 1974) Arthur Holroyd, Reassuring 18th-Century Protestants: The Librettist's Intended Message for Handel's ‘Messiah' (Quacks Books, 2018)Charles King, Every Valley: The Story of Handel's Messiah (Doubleday/Bodley Head, 2024)Jens Peter Larsen, Handel's Messiah: Origins, Composition, Sources (Adam and Charles Black, 1957)Richard Luckett, Handel's Messiah: A Celebration (Victor Gollancz, 1992)Watkins Shaw, A Textual and Historical Companion to Handel's ‘Messiah' (Novello and Co, 1965)Ruth Smith, ‘The Achievements of Charles Jennens (1700–1773)' (Music & Letters, 70, 1989)Ruth Smith, Charles Jennens: The Man behind Handel's ‘Messiah' (Handel House Trust/The Gerald Coke Handel Foundation, 2012)Ruth Smith, Handel's Oratorios and Eighteenth-Century Thought (Cambridge University Press, 1995)Calvin R. Stapert, Handel's Messiah: Comfort for God's People (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2010)Judy Tarling, Handel's Messiah: A Rhetorical Guide (first published 2014; Punnett Press, 2025)In Our Time is a BBC Studios productionSpanning history, religion, culture, science and philosophy, In Our Time from BBC Radio 4 is essential listening for the intellectually curious. In each episode, host Misha Glenny and expert guests explore the characters, events and discoveries that have shaped our world.
In our final episode on Persuasion, we talk about how much more satisfactory this is than the original ending, the purpose of the discussion between Mrs Croft and Mrs Musgrove, the conversation between Anne and Captain Harville, Wentworth's letter, his feeling that he had a moral obligation to marry Louisa and the wrap-up of the story.The character we discuss is Anne Elliot. In the historical section, Michael talks about the British Navy at the end of, and after, the Napoleonic Wars, and for popular culture Harriet discusses various modernised versions of Persuasion.Things we mention:General discussion:Janet Todd and Antje Blank [Editors], The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen: Persuasion (2006)Character discussion:YouTube video: Karolina Żebrowska, Why Does Hollywood Hate Gentle Characters? ‖ Netflix “Persuasion” Review (2022)Popular culture discussion:Melissa Nathan, Persuading Annie (2000)Sara Marks, Modern Persuasion (2017)Sonali Dev, Recipe for Persuasion (2020)Sarah Dass, Where the Rhythm Takes You (2021)Uzma Jalaluddin, Much Ado About Nada (2023)Melodie Edwards, Once Persuaded Twice Shy (2024)Rhombus Media, Slings and Arrows (2003-2006) [mentioned but not a Persuasion adaptation]Diana Peterfreund, For Darkness Shows the Stars (2012)John Wyndham, The Chrysalids (1955) [mentioned but not a Persuasion adaptation]Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games (2008) [mentioned but not a Persuasion adaptation]Creative commons music used:Extract from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 12 in F Major, ii. Adagio.Extract from Joseph Haydn, Piano Sonata No. 38. Performance by Ivan Ilić, recorded in Manchester in December, 2006. File originally from IMSLP.Extract from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 13 in B-Flat Major, iii. Allegretto Grazioso. File originally from Musopen.Extract from George Frideric Handel, Suite I, No. 2 in F Major, ii. Allegro. File originally from Musopen.Extract from Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major. File originally from Musopen.
May we resolve to live not by lies, political correctness, wokeness, or ‘repressive tolerance‘ by any name. May we live by the Truth alone, and may God have mercy on us. Political correctness is communist propaganda writ small. In my study of communist societies, I came to the conclusion that the purpose of communist propaganda was not to persuade or convince, nor to inform, but to humiliate; and therefore, the less it corresponded to reality the better. When people are forced to remain silent when they are being told the most obvious lies, or even worse when they are forced to repeat the lies themselves, they lose once and for all their sense of probity. To assent to obvious lies is to co-operate with evil, and in some small way to become evil oneself. One’s standing to resist anything is thus eroded, and even destroyed. A society of emasculated liars is easy to control. I think if you examine political correctness, it has the same effect and is intended to. — Theodore Dalrymple (Anthony Daniels) Frontpage Magazine interview (August 31, 2005) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, [even] in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. — Romans 10:8-13 KJV Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. — John 14:6 KJV Links Videos / Clips [x] = Played Triggered! Featuring Dave Chappelle- He Rapes But He Saves! [x] 0:47--2:23 The Problem With Feminising Society – Helen Andrews [x] 1:00--4:06 Headlines [x] = Mentioned / Discussed Featured [x] Google, Microsoft, Meta All Tracking You Even When You Opt Out, According to an Independent Audit High-Profile Deviance [x] Democrat [Kevin Cichowski] who wants to be Florida’s next governor is filmed being arrested after allegedly beating up two elderly people with a cane and phone | Daily Mail Online [x] Tony Gonzales says he will resign from House – POLITICO Eric Swalwell and curious coincidences of timing [x] Swalwell says he plans to resign from Congress amid sexual assault allegations – ABC News [x] Exclusive | Bleary-eyed Eric Swalwell wears a robe, parties with ‘yacht girls' during ‘hush hush' St. Tropez blow-out, wild video shows Double Standard…? [x] Trump, 79, Thirsts Over Woman in Front of Teenage Grandson, Donald Trump III The woman is Nina Coates, a golf content creator from Taiwan. Coates, who lives in Miami, responded to the president's affections on social media. “Yes I'm married,” she wrote alongside a laughing face emoji. A HuffPost analysis released on March 28 found that Trump's golf excursions have cost the taxpayer at least $101.2 million in travel and security expenses since his return to office in January last year. All of Trump's wives have been younger than him. He married his current wife, first lady Melania Trump, in 2005. She is 55, 24 years younger than her husband. Before Melania, there was Marla Maples, who is 62. His first wife, Ivanka Trump,[sic] died at 73 in July 2022. The Rest [x] = Mentioned / Discussed Live Not By Lies Theodore Dalrymple – Wikipedia Anthony Daniels (psychiatrist) – Wikiquote [x] FrontPage Magazine – Our Culture, What's Left Of It [x] THE MYTHOLOGY OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY – A Lecture by Carroll Quigley Ph.D. [x] Bandwagon effect – Wikipedia [x] Mob rule – Wikipedia The Deviance of Trump [x] Donald Trump sexual misconduct allegations – Wikipedia Marla marla maples donald trump rape at DuckDuckGo [x] Scandalous Details About Donald Trump And Marla Maples’ Marriage [x] Trump believed rape accuser E. Jean Carroll was wife in photo [x] ‘It’s Marla’: Donald Trump confuses rape accuser with ex-wife, trial told | US News | Sky News [x] Leaked Donald Trump tapes dredges up 1989 spousal rape accusation Ivana ivana trump, donald trump rape at DuckDuckGo [x] Donald Trump’s ex-wife’s claim he ‘raped’ her resurfaces in new documentary | The Independent | The Independent [x] Did ivana trump say Donald trump raped her Ivanka ivanka trump at DuckDuckGo [x] Ivanka Trump Believes Alleged Victims of Sexual Misconduct—Unless They're Accusing Her Father Donald Trump’s comments about daughter raise eyebrows – CNN – YouTube Donald Trump: “If Ivanka weren’t my daughter, perhaps I’d be dating her.” – YouTube Ivanka Trump: All the times Donald Trump was inappropriate with his daughter | indy100 Donald Trump thinks Ivanka is ‘hot’ and would ‘date her if she wasn’t my daughter’ – The Mirror Donald Trump’s unsettling record of comments about his daughter Ivanka | The Independent | The Independent Behavioral Sink [x] Behavioral sink – Wikipedia [x] Population Density and Social Pathology: When a population of laboratory rats is allowed to increase in a confined space, the rats develop acutely abnormal patterns of behavior that can even lead to the extinction of the population – 1962-calhoun.pdf Beirut on the Charles GQ Article Draws Law Students’ Ire | News | The Harvard Crimson [x] Beirut on the Charles: At faction-ridden Harvard Law School, the only natural impulse that remains above suspicion is ambition itself (Feb, 1993) by John Sedgwick – GQ_BeirutOnTheCharlesFull.pdf Degenerate “Cultural Bolshevism” Herbert Marcuse – Wikipedia Joseph Goebbels – Wikipedia Cultural Marxism conspiracy theory – Wikipedia Marcusean ‘Repressive Tolerance’ at Work Sweet Cakes by Melissa – Cases – First Liberty Klein v. Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries – Wikipedia [x] Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission – Wikipedia On This Day Events April 2026 Calendar of Public Holidays | Office Holidays Holidays and Observances in the United States in 2026 What day is it today? Important events every day ad-free | United States OTD Worldwide Public Holidays Tuesday April 14th 2026 | Office Holidays On This Day – What Happened on April 14 Today in History: April 14, Abraham Lincoln fatally shot at Ford’s Theatre | AP News What Happened on April 14 – On This Day What Happened on April 14 | HISTORY April 14 – Wikipedia What Happened On April 14 In History? 14 | April | 2020 | Executed Today Holidays Dolphin Day (US) Ex-Spouse Day (US) Gardening Day (US) Library Workers Day (US) Pan American Day (US) Pecan Day (US) Reach As High As You Can Day (US) That Sucks Day (US) Yom HaShoah Day (Jewish commemoration) ‘Six million Jews in WWII’ is a grossly inflated number, which is a marginalizing disservice to victims everywhere. That’s not ‘Holocaust denial’. It’s not denying the reality of genocidal tragedy – on the contrary, it affirms the tragedy(s) everywhere. This group does not have a monopoly on tragedy, as R.J. Rummel proved in DEATH BY GOVERNMENT: GENOCIDE AND MASS MURDER in which he coined the term ‘democide’. Despite relentless attempts to denigrate him (wonder why?) David Irving‘s work is instructive, and he is an unimpeachable witness. Why would a man be banned from entire countries simply for his ideas…? There’s also Edwin Black’s IBM and the Holocaust and the subject of what it more broadly represents (i.e., fascism)… There’s also the controversy of the term ‘holocaust’; “A burnt sacrifice; an offering, the whole of which was consumed by fire, among the Jews and some pagan nations”…?? World Quantum Day (Intl) Historical Events 2015 – Archaeologists announce they have found 3.3 million-year-old stone tools at Lomekwi in Kenya, the oldest ever discovered and predating the earliest humans 2003 – The Human Genome Project is completed: The project dedicated to mapping the genes of the human genome was started in October 1990. 2002 – 66th US Masters Tournament: Tiger Woods becomes the third player to claim back-to-back Masters, three strokes ahead of Retief Goosen of South Africa 2000 – Metallica files a lawsuit against the peer-to-peer sharing platform Napster, accelerating a movement against file-sharing programs 1996 – Greg Norman blows six-shot Masters lead in epic collapse: Third-round leader Greg Norman loses a six-shot lead in the final round of the Masters golf tournament and finishes second—one of the worst collapses in sports history. Nick Faldo wins the green jacket, finishing five strokes ahead of Norman. “I played like a bunch of [expletive],” the Australian tells reporters afterward.… read more 1994 – Musician Billy Joel & supermodel Christie Brinkley announce plans to divorce 1994 – In a friendly fire incident during Operation Provide Comfort in northern Iraq, two U.S. Air Force aircraft mistakenly shoot-down two U.S. Army helicopters, killing 26 people. 1991 – The Republic of Georgia introduces the post of President following its declaration of independence from the Soviet Union. 1988 – The USS Samuel B. Roberts strikes a mine in the Persian Gulf during Operation Earnest Will. 1988 – The Soviet Union agrees to withdraw from Afghanistan: In a United Nations ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland, the Soviet Union signs an agreement pledging to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan. Soviet troops had invaded the country in 1979 to support the communist rulers. They were defeated primarily by the Mujahideen, who were groups of militant Islamists sponsored by the CIA.123 1986 – U.S. bombs terrorist and military targets in Libya: In retaliation for the April 5 bombing in West Berlin that killed two U.S. servicemen, U.S. president Ronald Reagan orders major bombing raids against Libya, killing 60 people. The raid, which began shortly before 7 p.m. EST (2 a.m., April 15 in Libya), involved more than 100 U.S. Air Force and Navy aircraft, and was over within an… read more 1986 – The heaviest hailstones ever recorded hit Bangladesh: The lumps of ice weighed about 1 kg (2.2 lb). At total of 92 people reportedly died as a result. 1969 – Katharine Hepburn and Barbra Streisand tie for Best Actress Oscar: During the first internationally televised Oscars ceremony, Ingrid Bergman exclaims “It's a tie!” upon opening the Best Actress envelope—the first tie in a major acting category in three decades. The award went to both Katharine Hepburn, for her turn as Eleanor of Aquitaine in The Lion in Winter, and Barbra Streisand,… read more 1960 – Montreal Canadiens win fifth consecutive Stanley Cup: The Montreal Canadiens defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs to win the Stanley Cup for a record fifth year in a row. The Canadiens reached the Stanley Cup Finals after sweeping the Chicago Blackhawks in four games, while the Maple Leafs defeated the Detroit Red Wings, four games to two. The championship… read more 1956 – In Chicago, Illinois, videotape is first demonstrated. 1944 – Explosion on cargo ship rocks Bombay, India: The cargo ship Fort Stikine explodes in a berth in the docks of Bombay, India (now known as Mumbai), killing 1,300 people and injuring another 3,000. As it occurred during World War II, some initially claimed that the massive explosion was caused by Japanese sabotage; in fact, it was a tragic… read more 1939 – The Grapes of Wrath, by American author John Steinbeck is first published by the Viking Press. 1935 – “Black Sunday” Dust Bowl storm strikes: In what came to be known as “Black Sunday,” one of the most devastating storms of the 1930s Dust Bowl era sweeps across the region. High winds kicked up clouds of millions of tons of dirt and dust so dense and dark that some eyewitnesses believed the world was coming to… read more Was it ‘accidentally’ engineered…?678910 1932 – Loretta Lynn is born: Loretta Lynn, a singer who greatly expanded the opportunities for women in the male-dominated world of country-western music, is born in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky. Unlike some country-western stars that sang about a rural working class life but lived an urban middle class existence, Loretta Lynn's country roots were unquestionably authentic. Born Loretta… read more 1931 – First edition of the Highway Code published in Great Britain. 1927 – The first Volvo car premieres in Gothenburg, Sweden. 1918 – American pilots engage in first dogfight over the western front: Six days after being assigned for the first time to the western front, two American pilots from the U.S. First Aero Squadron engage in America's first aerial dogfight with enemy aircraft. In a battle fought almost directly over the Allied Squadron Aerodome at Toul, France, U.S. fliers Douglas Campbell and Alan Winslow succeeded in shooting… read more 1912 – Doomed passenger liner RMS Titanic hits an iceberg in the North Atlantic: The subsequent sinking of the world’s largest ocean liner of the time resulted in more than 1500 deaths. It was one of the worst peacetime maritime disasters in history. Was there more to the story…? 1910 – Taft becomes first U.S. president to throw out first pitch at MLB game: Skull and Bonesman,11 President William Howard Taft becomes the first president to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Major League Baseball game. The historic toss on opening day is to star Walter Johnson, the Washington Senators' starting pitcher against the Philadelphia Athletics at National Park in the nation's capital.… read more 1909 – Armenian Genocide: A massacre is organized by Ottoman Empire against Armenian population of Cilicia. Muslims in the Ottoman Empire begin a massacre of Armenians in Adana. 1908 – Hauser Dam, a steel dam on the Missouri River in Montana, fails, sending a surge of water 25 to 30 feet (7.6 to 9.1 m) high downstream. 1906 – The first meeting of the Azusa Street Revival, which will launch Pentecostalism as a worldwide movement, is held in Los Angeles. 1894 – The first ever commercial motion picture house opens in New York City. It uses ten Kinetoscopes, devices for peep-show viewing of films. 1894 – First public showing of Thomas Edison’s Kinetoscope (moving pictures) 1890 – The Pan-American Union is founded by the First International Conference of American States in Washington, D.C. 1890 – Painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir (49) weds Aline Victorine Charigot 1881 – The Four Dead in Five Seconds Gunfight occurs in El Paso, Texas. 1880 – Philosopher John Muir (41) weds Louisa Strentzel 1865 – William H. Seward, the U.S. Secretary of State, and his family are attacked at home by Lewis Powell. 1865 – Ulysses S. Grant and his wife turn down an invitation to join President and Mrs. Lincoln at Ford's Theatre to see the comedic play Our American Cousin. In doing so, he deprives assassin John Wilkes Booth of a second target. 1865 – U.S. President Abraham Lincoln is shot: President Abraham Lincoln was shot and fatally wounded during a performance of the play Our American Cousin at Ford's Theatre in Washington; Lincoln was taken to a boarding house across the street and died the following morning at 7:22 am. The assassin, John Wilkes Booth, wanted to revive the Confederate cause, mere days after their surrender to the Union Army, bringing the American Civil War to an end. At least, that’s the official story…45 1846 – The Donner Party of pioneers departs Springfield, Illinois, for California, on what will become a year-long journey of hardship, cannibalism, and survival. 1828 – First Edition of Webster's American Dictionary of the English Language is printed: Noah Webster, a Yale-educated lawyer with an avid interest in language and education, publishes his American Dictionary of the English Language. Webster's dictionary was one of the first lexicons to include distinctly American words. The dictionary, which took him more than two decades to complete, introduced more than 10,000 “Americanisms.” [Because, defining terms is important! Who’s in charge; who decides…?]… read more 1775 – First American abolition society founded in Philadelphia: The Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage, the first American society dedicated to the cause of abolition, is founded in Philadelphia by Benjamin Franklin and Benjamin Rush. The society changes its name to the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery and the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage… read more 70 – Siege of Jerusalem: Titus, son of emperor Vespasian, surrounds the Jewish capital, with four Roman legions. Births 1975 – Anderson Silva, Brazilian mixed martial artist and boxer (51) 1973 – Adrien Brody, Performer who became the youngest Best Actor Oscar winner playing a Holocaust survivor in The Pianist. (53) 1941 – Pete Rose, Baseball great nicknamed “Charlie Hustle” who topped Ty Cobb’s record for career hits. Banned from the sport in 1989 for gambling. (died 2024) 1932 – Loretta Lynn, Queen of country music who was born a coal miner’s daughter—which inspired her biggest hit and an Oscar-winning biopic. (died 2022) 1925 – Rod Steiger, American soldier and actor (died 2002) 1907 – François “Papa Doc” Duvalier, Haitian dictator (died 1971) 1889 – Arnold J. Toynbee, English historian and academic, key architect of the Third British Empire author of 12-volume A Study of History (Oxford University Press 1939). (died 1975) 1738 – William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland, English politician, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (died 1809) Deaths 2021 – Bernie Madoff, American mastermind of the world’s largest Ponzi scheme [except for the Federal Reserve!] (born 1938) 2015 – Percy Sledge, American singer (born 1940) 2013 – George Jackson, American singer-songwriter (born 1945) 2013 – Charlie Wilson, American politician (born 1943) 2007 – Don Ho, American singer and ukulele player (born 1930) 1995 – Burl Ives, American actor, folk singer, writer, and freemason (born 1909) 1943 – Yakov Dzhugashvili, Georgian-Russian lieutenant, eldest son of Joseph Stalin (born 1907) 1759 – George Frideric Handel, German-English organist and composer (born 1685) Footnotes Wikipedia Contributors. “Operation Cyclone.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 10 May 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Cyclone. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026. ↩ “How Jimmy Carter and I Started the Mujahideen.” CounterPunch.org, CounterPunch, 8 Nov. 2015, www.counterpunch.org/1998/01/15/how-jimmy-carter-and-i-started-the-mujahideen/. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026. ↩ Dixon, Norm. “How the CIA Created Osama Bin Laden.” Green Left, 18 Sept. 2001, www.greenleft.org.au/2001/465/analysis/how-cia-created-osama-bin-laden. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026. ↩ Perloff, James. Exploding the Official Myths of the Lincoln Assassination. 2024, www.amazon.com/dp/0966816064. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026. ↩ Perloff, James. “Announcing James Perloff's Latest Book.” Jamesperloff.net, 2026, jamesperloff.net/announcing-james-perloffs-latest-book/. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026. ↩ FDRLibrary. “FDR and the Dust Bowl.” YouTube, 20 June 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRAbOAim8U8. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026. ↩ Wikipedia Contributors. “Dust Bowl.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Feb. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dust_Bowl. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026. ↩ Wikipedia Contributors. “Deforestation.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 15 Jan. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deforestation. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026. ↩ Wikipedia Contributors. “Desertification.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 25 May 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desertification. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026. ↩ Snyder, Michael. “1930s Dust Bowl Conditions Are Returning to the Middle of the United States.” Substack.com, Michael Snyder's Substack, 8 Apr. 2025, michaeltsnyder.substack.com/p/1930s-dust-bowl-conditions-are-returning. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026. ↩ Best of Danny Jones. “The Man Who Was BORN into the Deep State Finally Speaks | Kris Millegan.” YouTube, 10 Apr. 2026, youtu.be/eM8eMtcNACw. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026. 7:00--34:00 Kris Millegan on; William Howard Taft, Alphonso Taft, William Huntington Russell, Phi Beta Kappa, Skull and Bones, the (family) history of the (modern) opium trade, and American football. ↩
Nathan Rittenhouse and Cameron McAllister explore the enduring power and cultural significance of Handel's Messiah in this thought-provoking episode of Thinking Out Loud, unpacking its surprising Easter origins, rich theological themes, and lasting impact on both classical music and modern culture. Reflecting on the 1742 Dublin debut by George Frideric Handel, they discuss the deeper meaning behind the iconic “Hallelujah Chorus,” the role of great art in shaping human experience, and why timeless works demand patience in an age of instant entertainment. From personal stories of hearing Messiah performed live to broader insights on creativity, worship, and the “creative commons,” Nathan and Cameron challenge listeners to rediscover classical masterpieces, engage with profound artistic traditions, and consider how music, faith, and shared cultural works continue to shape our understanding of hope, beauty, and what it means to be human.DONATE LINK: https://toltogether.com/donate BOOK A SPEAKER: https://toltogether.com/book-a-speakerJOIN TOL CONNECT: https://toltogether.com/tol-connect TOL Connect is an online forum where TOL listeners can continue the conversation begun on the podcast.
Share a commentWhat if the songs we sing are not warm-ups but lifelines? We explore how Scripture set to melody shapes what we believe, steadying us when prayers feel stuck and counsel runs cold. Starting with Martin Luther's bold move to give ordinary people hymns in their own language, we look at how congregational singing became a school for the soul—teaching doctrine, forming desire, and preparing courage for hard days.From there, we step into a dim room on Brook Street where a weary, indebted, and partially paralyzed George Frideric Handel opened a dust-covered packet of Bible verses and began to write again. In twenty-two tireless days, tears on his face and pages everywhere, he composed Messiah. The engine beneath that revival of purpose was an ancient confession from Job 19: “I know that my Redeemer lives.” We unpack why those words carried Handel and still carry us: the certainty of faith, the personal grip of “my Redeemer,” the living foundation of resurrection, the anticipation of Christ standing upon the earth, and the expectation that our own eyes will behold God.Along the way, we contrast Bildad's harsh verdicts with Job's stubborn hope, connect Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 15 to the thunder of the Hallelujah Chorus, and show how worship rehearses the future reign of Christ. If music is the handmaiden of theology, then the right songs are not background—they are formation. You'll leave with a renewed vision for why we sing, how to choose lyrics that tell the truth, and what it means to let melody carry faith into Monday.If this resonates, share it with a friend who needs courage, subscribe for more conversations like this, and leave a review telling us the lyric that has held you steady.Support the show
Share a commentWhat if the songs we sing are not warm-ups but lifelines? We explore how Scripture set to melody shapes what we believe, steadying us when prayers feel stuck and counsel runs cold. Starting with Martin Luther's bold move to give ordinary people hymns in their own language, we look at how congregational singing became a school for the soul—teaching doctrine, forming desire, and preparing courage for hard days.From there, we step into a dim room on Brook Street where a weary, indebted, and partially paralyzed George Frideric Handel opened a dust-covered packet of Bible verses and began to write again. In twenty-two tireless days, tears on his face and pages everywhere, he composed Messiah. The engine beneath that revival of purpose was an ancient confession from Job 19: “I know that my Redeemer lives.” We unpack why those words carried Handel and still carry us: the certainty of faith, the personal grip of “my Redeemer,” the living foundation of resurrection, the anticipation of Christ standing upon the earth, and the expectation that our own eyes will behold God.Along the way, we contrast Bildad's harsh verdicts with Job's stubborn hope, connect Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 15 to the thunder of the Hallelujah Chorus, and show how worship rehearses the future reign of Christ. If music is the handmaiden of theology, then the right songs are not background—they are formation. You'll leave with a renewed vision for why we sing, how to choose lyrics that tell the truth, and what it means to let melody carry faith into Monday.If this resonates, share it with a friend who needs courage, subscribe for more conversations like this, and leave a review telling us the lyric that has held you steady.Support the show
02.15.26 10am service organ offertory- Largo from 'Xerxes' by George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) arr. Boyton Smith by First Community Church
In this episode we look at the published version of Chapter 22. We talk about how proactive Anne is in these final chapters, the arrival of Charles, Mary and the Musgrove clan, Louisa's change in personality, how the Musgroves all want Anne to be with them, and the first time Wentworth actually refers to the time he and Anne were together.The characters we discuss is are Charles and Mary Musgrove. In the historical section, Michael talks about the shooting, and for popular culture Harriet looks at two books that retell Persuasion from the point of view of another character.Things we mention:General discussion:Janet Todd and Antje Blank [Editors], The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen: Persuasion (2006)Sheila Kaye-Smith and G.B. Stern, Talking of Jane Austen (1943) and More Talk of Jane Austen (1950)Historical discussion:E. W. Bovill, English Country Life, 1780-1830 (1962) ‘The Thing About Willoughby's Pointers with guest Dr. Stephanie Howard-Smith‘, The Thing About Austen podcast, Episode 73Popular culture discussion:Amanda Grange, Captain Wentworth's Diary (2007)Dorothea-Sofia Rossellini, Mrs Clay: The Austen Expert's Companion to ‘Persuasion' (2016) Diana Birchall, In Defense of Mrs Elton (1999) Creative commons music used:Extract from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 12 in F Major, ii. Adagio.Extract from Joseph Haydn, Piano Sonata No. 38. Performance by Ivan Ilić, recorded in Manchester in December, 2006. File originally from IMSLP.Extract from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 13 in B-Flat Major, iii. Allegretto Grazioso. File originally from Musopen.Extract from George Frideric Handel, Suite I, No. 2 in F Major, ii. Allegro. File originally from Musopen.Extract from Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major. File originally from Musopen.
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) was a German-British Baroque composer. His most famous work, the 1742 oratorio Messiah with its "Hallelujah" chorus, is among the most popular works in choral music. The text from Messiah was compiled from the King James Bible and the Book of Common Prayer. Handel was born, raised, and trained in German Prussia but settled in England where he spent the bulk of his career and was buried in London’s Westminster Abbey. ACAPELLA 5. Handel’s Messiah Oratorio (part 2) American Conservative University podcast at https://amzn.to/3ZMEq7g George Frideric Handel books at https://amzn.to/49zkBDW NYC Metropolitan Opera books at https://amzn.to/41nHkAE Mormon Tabernacle Choir books at https://amzn.to/4gbiMzw ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA podcast: www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-of-north-america Mark's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoricalJesu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio credits: American Conservative University podcast, The Story of the Writing of “The Messiah” by George Frideric Handel with the Metropolitan Opera Soloists and The Tabernacle Choir, narrated by Martin Jarvis. Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) was a German-British Baroque composer. His most famous work, the 1742 oratorio Messiah with its "Hallelujah" chorus, is among the most popular works in choral music. The text from Messiah was compiled from the King James Bible and the Book of Common Prayer. Handel was born, raised, and trained in German Prussia but settled in England where he spent the bulk of his career and was buried in London’s Westminster Abbey. ACAPELLA 4. Handel’s Messiah Oratorio (part 1) American Conservative University podcast at https://amzn.to/3ZMEq7g George Frideric Handel books at https://amzn.to/49zkBDW NYC Metropolitan Opera books at https://amzn.to/41nHkAE Mormon Tabernacle Choir books at https://amzn.to/4gbiMzw ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA podcast: www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-of-north-america Mark's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoricalJesu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio credits: American Conservative University podcast, The Story of the Writing of “The Messiah” by George Frideric Handel with the Metropolitan Opera Soloists and The Tabernacle Choir, narrated by Martin Jarvis. Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When he wrote Messiah (in 24 days), Handel was past his prime and nearly broke. One night in Dublin changed all that. (Part two of “Making Messiah.”) SOURCES:Charles King, political scientist at Georgetown University.Chris Scobie, curator of music, manuscripts, and archives at the British Library.Ellen Harris, musicologist and professor emeritus at MIT.Mark Risinger, teacher at St. Bernard's School.Philip Rushforth, organist and master of the choristers at the Chester Cathedral.Proinnsías Ó Duinn, conductor and music director of Our Lady's Choral Society. RESOURCES:Every Valley: The Desperate Lives and Troubled Times That Made Handel's Messiah, by Charles King (2024)."Arnaud du Sarrat and the international music trade in Halle and Leipzig c.1700," by Tomasz Górny (Early Music, 2023).George Frideric Handel: A Life with Friends, by Ellen Harris (2014).Handel (Composers Across Cultures), by Donald Burrows (2012)."Georg Händel (1622–97): The Barber-Surgeon Father of George Frideric Handel (1685–1759)," by Aileen Adams and B. Hofestädt (Journal Of Medical Biography, 2005).Handel's Messiah: A Celebration: A Richly Illustrated History of the Music and Its Eighteenth-Century Background, by Richard Luckett (1995).Handel's Messiah The Advent Calendar, podcast series. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Why does an 18th-century Christian oratorio lend such comfort to our own turbulent times? Stephen Dubner sets out for Dublin to tell the story of George Frideric Handel's Messiah. (Part one of “Making Messiah.”) SOURCES:Charles King, political scientist at Georgetown University.Katrine Sørensen, Danish broadcaster, host of Handel's Messiah - The Advent Calendar.Mark Risinger, teacher at St. Bernard's School.Michael and Aileen Casey, Dublin conservationists.Proinnsías Ó Duinn, conductor and music director of Our Lady's Choral Society.Stuart Kinsella, tenor soloist and consort singer. RESOURCES:Every Valley: The Desperate Lives and Troubled Times That Made Handel's Messiah, by Charles King (2024)."Two Men Wrote ‘Messiah.' You Know One of Them." by Charles King (New York Times, 2024)."On Fishamble Street, family lives among four centuries of relatives' keepsakes," by Zuzia Whelan (Dublin Inquirer, 2018).Hallelujah: The Story of a Musical Genius & the City That Brought His Masterpiece, by Jonathan Bardon (2016).George Frideric Handel: A Life with Friends, by Ellen Harris (2014).Handel: The Man & His Music, by Jonathan Keates (2010)."Handel's Messiah," performed by The London Symphony Orchestra (2007).Handel's Messiah The Advent Calendar, podcast series. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
George Frideric Handel - As Pants the Hart: In the Voice of Praise and ThanksgivingChapel Royal ChoirMusicians Extra-ordinaryAndrew Gant, conductorMore info about today's track: Naxos 9.00208Courtesy of Naxos of America Inc. SubscribeYou can subscribe to this podcast in Apple Podcasts, or by using the Daily Download podcast RSS feed.Purchase this recordingAmazon
In this episode, we talk about private communications in public spaces, Wentworth's possible feelings in the encounter at Mollands and in the Assembly Room, the question of whether Lady Russell was legitimately trying to identify a set of curtains, and Anne's feelings towards Mr Elliot.The character we discuss is Elizabeth Elliot. In the historical section, Michael talks about the Bath Assembly Rooms, and for popular culture Harriet discusses the 2023 independent film Persuasion.Things we mention:General discussion:Janet Todd and Antje Blank [Editors], The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen: Persuasion (2006)Historical discussion:Blackadder the Third (1987)YouTube video: Dr Timothy Moore, ‘Change & Challenge: The History of Bath's Assembly Rooms‘, Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, 30 July 2024Assembly Rooms floorplan (Source: http://www.victoriahinshaw.com/victorias-vibes—-a-blog/archives/05-2019)Popular culture discussion:Persuasion (2023, Agatha Films) – starring Skylar Pierce and Dan BrownCreative commons music used:Extract from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 12 in F Major, ii. Adagio.Extract from Joseph Haydn, Piano Sonata No. 38. Performance by Ivan Ilić, recorded in Manchester in December, 2006. File originally from IMSLP.Extract from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 13 in B-Flat Major, iii. Allegretto Grazioso. File originally from Musopen.Extract from George Frideric Handel, Suite I, No. 2 in F Major, ii. Allegro. File originally from Musopen.Extract from Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major. File originally from Musopen.
Messiah has since become one of the most frequently performed choral works in Western music with the “Hallelujah” chorus becoming a central piece in the choral ...
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) was a German-British Baroque composer. His most famous work, the 1742 oratorio Messiah with its "Hallelujah" chorus, is among the most popular works in choral music. The text from Messiah was compiled from the King James Bible and the Book of Common Prayer. Zadok the Priest is a British anthem that was composed by Handel for the coronation of George II in 1727. The text to Zadok the Priest is derived from the biblical account of the anointing of Solomon in 1 Kings 1:32-45. Zadok the Priest Westminster Abbey Choir CD at https://amzn.to/3K0NQq9 Handel books available at https://amzn.to/49zkBDW George Frideric Handel music at https://amzn.to/3VhHHby Westminster Abbey books at https://amzn.to/4myXI9c Westminster Abbey Choir music at https://amzn.to/4mX4S6L ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA podcast: www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-of-north-america Video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/HistoricalJesu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio Credit: Zadok the Priest · Westminster Abbey Choir · Händel: Die schönsten Chöre · Composer - Georg Friedrich Handel (1995 Sony Classical, a division of Sony Entertainment Holdings GmbH). Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, we talk about the upward and downward social interactions taking place, what the implications are behind the Dalrymples being Irish aristocracy, the introductions of Mrs Smith and Nurse Rooke, the comedy of Mary's letter and Admiral Croft's meeting with Anne, and the fact that in the book's timeline it is only a month before Napoleon Bonaparte will escape from Elba.The characters we discuss are Admiral and Mrs Croft. In the historical section, Ellen talks about nurses, and for popular culture Harriet discusses the 2020 television movie Modern Persuasion.Things we mention:General discussion:Janet Todd and Antje Blank [Editors], The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen: Persuasion (2006)Maria Edgeworth, Castle Rackrent (1800)Character discussion:Walter Scott, Waverley (1814)Patrick O'Brien, Master and Commander (1969) and sequels in the Aubrey and Maturin seriesHistorical discussion:Charles Dickens, Martin Chuzzlewit (1844)Elizabeth Fry (19th century English prison reformer, social reformer, philanthropist and Quaker)Wellcome Collection in LondonPopular culture discussion:Modern Persuasion (2020, Tangerine Entertainment) – starring Alicia Witt and Shane McRaeCreative commons music used:Extract from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 12 in F Major, ii. Adagio.Extract from Joseph Haydn, Piano Sonata No. 38. Performance by Ivan Ilić, recorded in Manchester in December, 2006. File originally from IMSLP.Extract from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 13 in B-Flat Major, iii. Allegretto Grazioso. File originally from Musopen.Extract from George Frideric Handel, Suite I, No. 2 in F Major, ii. Allegro. File originally from Musopen.Extract from Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major. File originally from Musopen.
It might at first sound like it would be nice to be the lover of the king of the Olympian gods, attended by divine spirits, and living in a luxurious palace among the clouds. But this happily-ever-after turns sour after Princess Semele asks Jupiter for the gift of immortality. After a bit of intrigue amongst the gods–not least among them Jupiter's resourceful and ruthless wife Juno–disaster strikes the princess Semele and her dreams are reduced to ashes. An “English opera” from the later career of Baroque master, George Frideric Handel, Semele teems with engaging arias as well as sumptuous choral pieces. Inspired by a tale told by Ovid, Handel and his librettist, William Congreve crafted a work of art that beguiles and entertains supremely. Hosted by Pat and Kathleen For more cultural and arts commentary by Kathleen Van De Wille, visit Constructive Criticism on Substack.
微信公众号:「听潮馆」(chaoyudushu)。主播:潮羽,365天每天更新一期。 文字版已在微信公众号【听潮馆】发布 。QQ:647519872 背景音乐:1.Brad Jacobsen - Prelude (To a Wild Rose, Seek the Lord Early);2.Haneda Ryoko - Eiffel;3.Motohiro Nakashima - waterside birds;4.George Frideric Handel,大塚杏奈 - Ombra mai fu;5.Shizuko Mori - Way Back Into Loves。
The United States has gone, in less than six months, from being seen by many as a defender of democracy and human rights, to being the latest – and most powerful - administration to embrace authoritarianism. Amid a head-spinning flood of presidential orders and harsh policies - towards women, immigrants, the poor, the disabled and the sick, it's hard to know where to focus. In this episode, veteran Turkish journalist and human rights activist Murat Celikkan tells host Akwe Amosu what he has been paying attention to, and reflects on how Turkey's human rights movement has been trying to strengthen its own work.And in the Coda, why a dose of Baroque music might ease your mind. Contact us at pod@strengthandsolidarity.org We are now publishing our newsletter on Substack, if youwould like to subscribe: https://substack.com/@strengthsolidarityQuick LinksInterviewBio: Murat Celikkan: https://hakikatadalethafiza.org/en/teamLitHub: Murat Celikkan: Another Turkish Journalist in Prison for ‘Unspecified Reasons' https://lithub.com/murat-celikkan-another-turkish-journalist-in-prison-for-unspecified-reasons/StrengthandSolidarity.org: Murat Celikkan reads Ariel Dorfman: https://strengthandsolidarity.org/podcast/rebuilding-a-movements-culture-after-crisis/Hafiza Merkezi: https://hakikatadalethafiza.org/en/en/why-hafiza-merkeziChatham House: The future of the Trukish opposition after Imamoglu's arrest https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/05/future-turkish-opposition-after-imamoglus-arrestHRW: Turkey Events of o2024 https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2025/country-chapters/turkiyeWikipedia: Gezi Park protests https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gezi_Park_protestsWikipedia: Saturday mothers https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturday_MothersCodaFrancoise Girard: https://www.fmus.org/aboutFeminism Makes Us Smarter (FMUS): https://www.fmus.org/Wikipedia: Baroque Music https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baroque_musicFMUS podcast: https://www.fmus.org/fmus-podcastMusic credits:Juditha triumphans, RV 644: Air "Veni, veni me sequere fida" by Antonio Vivaldi, performed by Lea Desandre, Jupiter Ensemble, Thomas DunfordJuditha triumphans, RV 644: “Air Armatae face et anguibus” by Antonio Vivaldi, performed by Jupiter EnsembleAriodante, HWV 33, Act 2: Aria. "Se l'inganno sortisce felice" (Polinesso) by George Frideric Handel, performed by·Marie-Nicole Lemieux, Alan Curtis, Il Complesso Barocco“Forêts paisibles” from Les Indes Galantes by Jean-Philippe Rameau, performed by Les Arts FlorissantsStrength&Solidarity podcast:Episodes 1-50 shows and transcripts:Episodes 51 onwards, shows and transcripts