In this webpage, mostly two composers – Bach and Beethoven – are featured; quite different, yet both at or “near the top” in their era. And maybe it’s ok to add a bit of choral music from Handel.
First, here is the Bach Cantata BWV 147, which contains the melody of the 20th century hymn we know as “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”.
J.S. Bach – Cantata BWV 147 _Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben_ (J.S. Bach Foundation) (33:17)
Here are the German and English lyrics for the entire Cantata.
And here is some commentary on BWV 147, featuring Rudolph Lutz, founder of the J.S. Bach Foundation (in English).
Here are a couple renditions of the hymn we know as “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring”, in English. It takes place twice in BWV 147, the second time as the last chorus.
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring – The Tabernacle Choir (4:14)
‘Cathedral Classics’, London Festival Orchestra – Bach, ‘Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring’ (7:07)
And for a complete change, here is a choral piece by Beethoven, which actually combines a piano part with the chorus coming in towards the end.
Ludwig van Beethoven: “Choral Fantasy” op. 80 – Seiji Ozawa, Martha Argerich
The German and English lyrics to this piece may be found here.
And next, here are two additional “Hallelujah” choruses, other than the one in Handel’s Messiah.
From Handel’s Oratorio, Judas Maccabeus:
Handel – Judas Maccabaeus. ‘Hallelujah! Amen’ – La Capilla Real de Madrid
Here are the lyrics.
If interested, and have the time, here’s the entire Judas Maccabaeus Oratorio, sung in English:
Cambridge Community Chorus Fall Concert 2017: Handel’s Judas Maccabeus (1:50:39)
And here are a few well=known choruses in this oratorio:
See, the Conqu’ring Hero Comes!
Sing unto God (Judas Maccabaeus – HANDEL)
Hallelujah, Amen (Judas Maccabaeus)- Handel
And finally back to Beethoven and “Hallelujah”, the ending chorus in “Christ on the Mount of Olives”. Note that the director is giving his last concert before Retiring.
UCLA Beethoven, Christ on the Mount of Olives, Op 85 – Hallelujah
The English lyrics may be found here.
For extra credit, lets end with something other than Bach, Beethoven, and Handel, the Vivaldi “Gloria”.