Composer

:

George Frederick Handel

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Anthem

Compose Date

:

1749

Average_duration

:

2:22

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

"How beautiful are the feet of them" is a choral piece composed by George Frederick Handel. It is part of his oratorio "Messiah," which was first performed in Dublin, Ireland on April 13, 1742. The oratorio is divided into three parts, with "How beautiful are the feet of them" being part of the second part. The piece is written in the key of G major and is in 3/4 time. It is a relatively short piece, lasting only about two minutes. The text is taken from the Bible, specifically from the book of Isaiah, chapter 52, verse 7: "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!" The piece is divided into two sections, with the first section being sung by the choir and the second section being a duet between two soloists. The choir sings the opening line, "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace," in a gentle and flowing melody. The music is characterized by its simplicity and elegance, with a focus on the beauty of the text. The second section of the piece is a duet between two soloists, with one singing the line "Their sound is gone out into all lands" and the other responding with "And their words unto the ends of the world." The duet is accompanied by a simple and delicate melody played by the orchestra. Overall, "How beautiful are the feet of them" is a beautiful and uplifting piece of music that captures the joy and hope of the gospel message. Its simplicity and elegance make it a favorite among choirs and audiences alike, and it remains a beloved part of Handel's "Messiah" to this day.

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