S9E126: Handel’s Messiah with Querida Thompson
And ever against eating cares,
John Milton, from L’Allegro
Lap me in soft Lydian airs,
Married to immortal verse,
Such as the meeting soul may pierce,
In notes with many a winding bout
Of linked sweetness long drawn out
With wanton heed and giddy cunning,
The melting voice through mazes running,
Untwisting all the chains that tie
The hidden soul of harmony;
Show Summary:
- On The New Mason Jar Podcast this week, Cindy and Dawn talk with Querida Thompson about Handel’s Messiah
- How Querida first heard about Charlotte Mason
- Who was George Frederic Handel?
- How did Handel come to write the Messiah oratorio?
- How should we first approach listening to Messiah?
- More historical context for this piece of music
- What is the shape of the whole work?
- What are some recommendations for recordings of Handel’s Messiah?
Listen Now:

From Darkness to Light: Mom’s Advent Discipleship 2025 with Cindy is open for registration NOW!
Books and Links Mentioned:
Hallelujah: Cultivating Advent Traditions with Handel’s Messiah by Cindy Rollins
Memoirs of the Life of the Late George Frederic Handel by John Mainwaring
“Handel: Messiah” from the Academy of St. Martin’s in the Field (Apple Music, Youtube Playlist)
2024 Advent Discipleship: Worthy is the Lamb
Find Cindy:
Cindy’s Patreon Discipleship Group
Mere Motherhood Facebook Group
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Upon being congratulated on providing audiences with such fine entertainment in his Oratorio ‘Messiah’, Handel replied, “I should be sorry if I only entertained them; for I wished to make them better.”