Handel Thus Saith the Lord
"Thus Sayeth the Lord" is the first bass recitative of Handel's Messiah. Its dramatic melody works very well as an instrumental solo, and can be accompanied by several different combinations of players.
This composition can be played by 366,554 different combinations of instruments (really!).
A few notes on the parts and instruments:
- The standard ("std") parts are the original parts and are designed to be played together.
- The alternate "a" parts, if present, are raised one octave (8va) and can be substituted for a standard part to accommodate the higher instruments listed. They should work as long as they are above the other parts.
- The alternate "b" parts, if present, are lowered one octave (8vb) and can be substituted for a standard part to accommodate the lower instruments listed. They should work as long as they are below the other parts.
- For example, using parts 1, 2, and 3 together is definitely ok. Using parts 1a, 2, and 3b together is probably ok. Using parts 1b, 2, and 3a together might not work well.
- Part ranges are listed in concert key, where C4 is middle C.
When you purchase this composition, you will be taken to PayPal to submit your payment. As soon as you pay, you will be able to download all the PDF files immediately. You will have access to every part for each available instrument, in the proper key and clef. You will also get a complete score (in most cases, we include four separate scores with all parts transposed to C, Bb, Eb, and F).
You don't have to purchase each part separately; one single payment covers all the parts you need for the instruments in your ensemble.
We have 2 versions of this composition. Click on the version name to jump to the different versions. Note that each version is purchased separately.
Version v01
Buy Version v01 ($3.99)This version is a duet for various bass instruments with violin accompaniment. Note that the melody is in Part 2. Cello, bass, and bassoon will sound best in the lower octave (bass will need a low-C extender). This arrangement has been transposed to E minor for easier playing.
Composition: Handel Thus Saith the Lord
Version: v01
Instrumentation: Duet
The original key has been changed to better fit the instruments.
Duration: 2 minutes
Difficulty: Intermediate
Price: $3.99
| Handel Thus Saith the Lord, Version v01 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Part | Range | Available Instruments |
| Score | Full Score in C, Bb, Eb, and F | |
| Part 1 (std) | C4 - C6 | Violin |
| Part 2 (std) | C3 - E4 | Bass Flute, Bass Oboe, Basset Horn, Alto/Bass/Contra-Alto/Contrabass Clarinet, Tenor/Baritone Saxophone, Bassoon, French Horn, Mellophone, Baritone, Trombone, Alto Trombone, C/Bb Euphonium, Viola, Cello, Bass 8vb, Tenor/Bass Viol |
| Part 2b (8vb) | C2 - E3 | Contra-Alto/Contrabass Clarinet, Bass Saxophone, Bassoon, Contrabassoon, French Horn, Bass Trombone, Tuba, Eb/Bb Sousaphone, Cello, Bass |
Version v02
Buy Version v02 ($3.99)This very flexible arrangement can be played as a duet, a trio, or a quartet. It has been transposed to E minor to accommodate more instruments. Note that the melody is in Part 4. Cello, bass, and bassoon will sound best in the lower octave (bass will need a low-C extender). For duet, play parts 1 and 4 (or 4b). For trio, add part 2. For quartet, use all four parts. The duet does sound a bit empty; if you have a violin available you should consider Version v01 instead.
Composition: Handel Thus Saith the Lord
Version: v02
Instrumentation: Quartet
The original key has been changed to better fit the instruments.
Duration: 2 minutes
Difficulty: Intermediate
Price: $3.99
| Handel Thus Saith the Lord, Version v02 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Part | Range | Available Instruments |
| Score | Full Score in C, Bb, Eb, and F | |
| Part 1 (std) | E4 - C6 | Flute, Alto Flute, Oboe, Oboe d'Amore, Eb/C/Bb/A Clarinet, Basset Horn, Soprano Saxophone, Piccolo Trumpet, Violin, Viola, Viola d'Amore |
| Part 2 (std) | E4 - G5 | Flute, Alto Flute, Tenor Recorder, Oboe, Oboe d'Amore, English Horn, Eb/C/Bb/A Clarinet, Basset Horn, Alto Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone, Piccolo Trumpet, Eb/D/C/Bb Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Violin, Viola, Viola d'Amore |
| Part 3 (std) | G3 - G4 | Alto Flute, Bass Flute, Bass Recorder, English Horn, Bass Oboe, Eb/C/Bb/A Clarinet, Basset Horn, Alto/Bass/Contra-Alto/Contrabass Clarinet, Alto/Tenor Saxophone, Bassoon, French Horn, Mellophone, C/Bb Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Baritone, Trombone, Alto Trombone, C/Bb Euphonium, Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass 8vb, Viola d'Amore, Treble/Tenor/Bass Viol |
| Part 4 (std) | C3 - E4 | Bass Flute, Bass Oboe, Basset Horn, Alto/Bass/Contra-Alto/Contrabass Clarinet, Tenor/Baritone Saxophone, Bassoon, French Horn, Mellophone, Baritone, Trombone, Alto Trombone, C/Bb Euphonium, Viola, Cello, Bass 8vb, Tenor/Bass Viol |
| Part 4b (8vb) | C2 - E3 | Contra-Alto/Contrabass Clarinet, Bass Saxophone, Bassoon, Contrabassoon, French Horn, Bass Trombone, Tuba, Eb/Bb Sousaphone, Cello, Bass |