When it comes to writing choruses that are bold, brilliant, and bursting with emotion, nobody does it quite like George Frideric Handel.

George Frideric Handel

Handel’s choruses have an unparalleled ability to make you feel like you are part of something bigger than yourself. His powerful, uplifting harmonies and thrilling counterpoint fill concert halls and cathedrals with a vibrant energy that seems to lift both heart and soul.

Handel had a definite gift for creating choruses that are both majestic and moving. They can transport you from a moment of quiet contemplation to a full-on celebration in a heartbeat.

With his birthday coming up on 23 February, let’s dive into the 10 most magnificent choruses by George Frideric Handel.

Messiah, “Hallelujah”

There is no prize for guessing the most popular Handel chorus ever. Of course, it’s the “Hallelujah” from the oratorio Messiah. It is impossible not to feel completely swept up in the energy of this chorus. It is like a jubilant explosion of sound that fills the air with divine energy.

Handel’s Messiah

This chorus, with its soaring harmonies and electrifying intensity, seems to transcend earthly limits and reach straight for the heavens. Every “Hallelujah” resonates like a chorus of angels singing in unison.

It’s one of the most iconic choruses in all of music because the universal language of joy speaks through simplicity and repetition. It’s a cultural cornerstone, as people around the world are touched by the overwhelming power of the music.

Zadok the Priest

Zadok the Priest by Handel is like a musical crown, radiant and regal, bursting with majestic energy! It should well be as it was composed for the coronation of King George II in 1727.

King George II

The biblical story comes from the old testament, with Zadok the high priest restoring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem.

Just listen to the first crashing chords. It is as if the heavens themselves have opened to announce something truly grand. The brass blazes with brilliance, and the voices soar high above.

Handel’s Zadok the Priest

There is something truly magnificent in the way Handel intertwines those glorious choruses with the resplendent brass and strings. The build-up is so perfectly crafted, creating a sense of rising excitement that ends in a climactic, heart-pounding explosion of sound.

Judas Maccabaeus, “Sing Unto God”

Handel’s “Sing Unto God” from the oratorio Judas Maccabaeus is like a burst of celestial light. It is a magnificent anthem of pure joy and victory. The music sparkles with jubilant energy, celebrating a moment of triumph and reverence.

Judas Maccabaeus

From the first surge of the orchestra, there is a pulse of triumph in the air. It’s bold, bright, and unstoppable. When the chorus enters with shimmering brilliance, the voices soon intertwine in perfect harmony. Each phrase flows like a stream of pure joy.

“Sing unto God” is not just a command; it is a declaration of praise that rings with clarity and joy. It is a radiant and jubilant explosion of sound, a musical firework that leaves performers and listeners glowing with exhilaration.

Messiah, “All We Like Sheep”

We are lucky indeed that the Messiah contains a number of magnificent choruses. And it’s almost impossible not to get caught up in “All We Like Sheep.” The music moves in beautiful waves that almost feel like sheep are wandering around.

Handel’s monument

The entire chorus is breathing with a beautiful, flowing rhythm—very soft, gentle, and almost a little bit playful. But as soon as the voices come in, everything shifts. The soothing, lilting melody suddenly grows into something very powerful, and the harmonies just take over.

The choir starts this wonderful, energetic momentum. When the voices weave together with the orchestra, it produces one glorious surge of sound. What a magnificent chorus, as it builds with such emotion and energy like Handel somehow captured pure elation in sound and in spirit.

Let Their Celestial Concerts All Unite

George Frideric Handel: Samson, HWV 57 – Act III Scene 3: Chorus: Let their celestial concerts all unite
(Julie Thyana Roset, soprano; Namur Chamber Choir; Millennium Orchestra; Leonardo García Alarcón, cond.)

The concluding chorus from the oratorio Samson bursts with radiant energy. It is a sweeping expression of heavenly joy and unity. With its radiant harmonies and lush orchestration, this chorus brings together all voices in a celestial celebration, creating a powerful and uplifting soundscape.

This chorus soars with grace and grandeur, combining moments of delicate beauty with bursts of jubilant energy to make it feel both intimate and awe-inspiring.

I think that Handel’s use of orchestral colour is the key to its impact, as strings, winds, and brass all layer together to give the chorus both a sense of full-bodied richness and sparkling clarity. It makes this chorus not just sound glorious but also transcendent, as if the music itself could lift you up into the heavens.

Judas Maccabeus, “See, the conqu’ring Hero comes!”

Originally written for the oratorio Judas Maccabaeus in 1746, “See, the conqu’ring Hero comes” is one of Handel’s most famous and uplifting choruses. It is a victorious anthem that celebrates the glory of divine triumph.

There is an immediate sense of grandeur and excitement, thanks to the bold fanfares and driving rhythm. The chorus is a thrilling declaration of victory, with the voices blending together in jubilant harmony.

The music is a perfect mix of regal, almost martial precision and a touch of gentleness that comes through in the more delicate, lyrical passages. The melody is so uplifting that you can almost feel the joy radiating from the music. Handel was a master at crafting an anthem that feels both celebratory and deeply emotional.

Acis and Galatea, “Oh, the Pleasures of the Plain”

George Frideric Handel: Acis and Galatea, “Oh, the Pleasures of the Plain” (David Gordon, tenor; Dawn Kotoski, soprano; Seattle Symphony Chorale; Seattle Symphony Orchestra; Gerard Schwarz, cond.)

Choruses also play an important role in Handel’s operas. The magnificent “Oh, the Pleasures of the Plain” comes from Acis and Galatea and is about the pure and untarnished joys of living in harmony with nature.

Handel brings this theme to life with a joyful, flowing melody that is simultaneously simple and sophisticated. The chorus feels like a breath of fresh air, with the voices intertwining and lifting each other in harmonic bliss.

The music is radiant, direct, and full of life, with each vocal entry adding to the sense of collective euphoria. It almost feels like a slow sunrise that grows into a bright and shining day. I just love the sense of optimism and freedom, with the singers revelling in the sheer joy of being alive.

Funeral Anthem, “Their Bodies are Buried in Peace”

Handel composed the Funeral Anthem in 1737 for the funeral of Queen Caroline of Ansbach. The chorus “Their Bodies are Buried in Peace” is a solemn and reflective piece that addresses themes of peace and the afterlife.

Queen Caroline of Ansbach

The anthem meditates on the idea of eternal peace, offering comfort to those left behind while recognising the end of life with reverence and solemnity.

The music is deeply sombre and reverent, featuring slow and majestic harmonies that enhance the solemnity of the text. This wonderful chorus is part of a larger ceremonial work that blends reflection with a sense of hope.

Israel in Egypt, “The People Shall Hear”

Handel’s Israel in Egypt

The magnificent chorus “The People Shall Hear” from Israel in Egypt is a musical declaration of divine power. Handel uses vivid contrasts of voices and instruments to bring the biblical plagues to life.

Handel masterfully uses world painting, drawing an unmistakable sense of doom as the music reflects the catastrophic tone of the text. You can hear the weight of history and prophecy in every phrase.

It is not just a choral anthem but a deep, resonant cry that echoes through time, reminding listeners of the power of faith and fate. What a perfect musical snapshot of awe-inspiring terror and divine judgment.

Messiah, “Worthy is the Lamb”

Handel’s Worthy is the Lamb

Let us conclude this blog on the 10 most magnificent choruses by Handel with a triumphant anthem of praise. “Worthy is the Lamb” from Messiah is a powerful declaration of the honour, glory and power of Christ.

The text praises Christ for his victory over sin and death, and Handel amplifies the message with lush orchestration and a powerful choral arrangements. This anthem, with its rich harmonies and uplifting tone is a celebratory proclamation, and one of the key highlights in the grand narrative of redemption.

In his great choruses, Handel showcased his mastery of blending intricate vocal lines with powerful orchestration, creating an emotional and dramatic impact. His music elevates the narrative and leaves a lasting impression on singers and audiences alike.

For more of the best in classical music, sign up for our E-Newsletter