An Absolute Joy
Howard Blumenthal
![Howard Blumenthal]()
Howard Blumenthal
Executive Director, 21st Century Learning Project at University of Virginia; Senior Scholar, Positive Psychology Center, University of Pennsylvania; Founder, Kids on Earth
‘Tis the season for annual performances of Handel’s Messiah, a magnificent oratorio notable for catchy melodies, high drama, and extreme reverence. It feels great to sit in a concert hall and listen to music composed in 1741–and it feels even better to stand up and sing along. The British novelist Jonathan Keates recaps the compelling story of Handel, oratorios, and the era’s version of what becomes show business in a 150-page book called Messiah: The Composition and Afterlife of Handel’s Masterpiece. It’s a wonderful starting place for a holiday adventure through what is variously called “early music” or “baroque classical music.” https://diginsider.com/2019/11/21/an-absolute-joy/