I have known about Judas Maccabeus since childhood, but I never grew to appreciate it until late adolescence. Even then, a few years passed before I could play parts again. Last night, I pulled my copy of the score from my bookshelf and began listening again, reminded of all the recitatives and arias that I had tried to learn and sing (very badly) years ago. An incredible work from the great Handel! It set me on the path of listening to his oratorios!










