Messiah (Oliver Holden)
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- (Posted 2016-02-11) CPDL #38531: MusicXML
- Editor: Barry Johnston (submitted 2016-02-11). Score information: Letter, 8 pages, 223 kB Copyright: Public Domain
- Edition notes: Oval-note edition, as written in 1793. Words from Pope's lyric poem; see text below for Holden's variants.
General Information
Title: Messiah
First Line: Ye nymphs of Solima
Composer: Oliver Holden
Lyricist: Alexander Pope
Number of voices: 5vv Voicing: SSATB
Genre: Sacred, Anthem
Language: English
Instruments: A cappella
{{Published}} is obsolete (code commented out), replaced with {{Pub}} for works and {{PubDatePlace}} for publications.
Description: First published in The Union Harmony Volume 2, 1973, pp. 90-102. A long anthem; for the most part for three parts (Treble-Tenor-Bass), with duets and solos that include a second Treble and a Counter.
Words by Alexander Pope, 1712, entitled Messiah. This is a semi-sacred poem, mostly paraphrasing portions of Isaiah's prophecies, but nonetheless including allusions to Greek and Roman gods and goddesses. See Pope's preface, below.
External websites:
Original text and translations
- Pope's Introduction (1712)
In reading several passages of the prophet Isaiah, which foretell the coming of Christ, and the felicities attending it, I could not but observe a remarkable parity between many of the thoughts and those in the Pollio of Virgil. This will not seem surprising, when we reflect that the Eclogue was taken from a Sibylline prophecy on the same subject. One may judge that Virgil did not copy it line by line, but selected such ideas as best agreed with the nature of Pastoral Poetry, and disposed them in that manner which served most to beautify his piece. I have endeavored the same in this imitation of him, though without admitting any thing of my own; since it was written with this particular view, that the reader, by comparing the several thoughts, might see how far the images and descriptions of the Prophet are superior to those of the Poet. But as I fear I have prejudiced them by my management, I shall subjoin the passages of Isaiah, and those of Virgil, under the same disadvantage of a literal translation.
English text 1 Ye Nymphs of Solima! begin the song: |
37 The Savior comes, by ancient bards foretold! |
73 Waste sandy valleys, once perplexed with thorn, |
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(a) Holden has Wrapt. (b) Holden has "Jesus' root." (c) Holden has "Ye heav'ns on high." (d) Holden has "No sigh nor murmur."
(e) Holden has "thy word, thy saving power."