Random Act of Culture in Phiadelphia brings tears to my eyes

When I was a girl my favorite music that always surfaced at Christmas time was Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus".  I loved it so much that when I was planning my wedding 42 years ago (Yes, it's been that long!), I planned to have the "Hallelujah Chorus" played when my husband and I turned to greet the crowd after we were pronounced man and wife.

Image by mharrsch via Flickr

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir rehearsing in
Salt Lake City, Utah.

Unfortunately, we were married in a church that considered the Handel classic secular music.  So, I was told I could not have the music as part of my wedding ceremony.  Twenty four years later my daughter was married and I asked her if we could have the "Hallelujah Chorus" played as the recessional music.  So I finally got my wish although the CD player we used was a bit cantankerous and I had to signal my daughter to wait a moment while my son who was in charge of the AV equipment got it working!

Of course the most famous version of this classic is probably the one sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  When I visited Salt Lake City for a Historical Novel Society conference several years ago, I had the opportunity to sit in on a practice session of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  (The Choir rehearses on Thursdays and visitors are invited to listen in).  Although they did not sing  the Hallelujah Chorus that day the choir was still a joy to listen to.

Today one of my friends sent me a link to a YouTube video of the Opera Company of Philadelphia singing the Hallelujah Chorus in a shopping mall in Philadelphia as part of the "Random Act of Culture" program.  I must admit it brought tears to my eyes!