Messiah: Calligraphic Word Pictures Inspired by the Music and Text of George Frederick Handel's Messiah, With Notes by the Artist

For those who know and love Handel's immortal oratorio Messiah, this beautifully-designed book is like a heavenly Godsend from above. The calligraphy that Timothy Botts adopts for the different sections of the text is tasteful and appropriate to the Biblical text and the nuances of Handel's music as well. What strikes the reader is that the calligraphy so graphically depicts the words of the oratorio that you don't need to be a Messiah lover to appreciate the calligraphy of the text.Every page is a feast for the eyes and Botts copes with the demands of the text and the music admirably. For example, in the pages of the Hallelujah Chorus, Botts includes the phrase "For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth" exactly five times, just like in the musical text as we hear it. Also, he uses more florid lettering for the "Rejoice greatly" section of the soprano's aria, with serious lettering for the middle section, "He is the righteous Saviour", just as it should be in the actual oratorio. And in the "For unto us" chorus, you have the cries of "Wonderful Counsellor" in big, bold and flashy letterings at the bottom of the page, with the first part of the chorus building up to those exclamatory declamations. I could go on and on about the examples, but then there are too many to fit into one review. In short, all the different calligraphic styles integrate themselves into the whole work very nicely for a cohesive whole.The helpful thing about this book is that in addition to the visual feast that Botts provides for us with his tasteful calligraphy, he also has notes on the side of the word-pictures to explain how each different calligraphic style works in relation to the text and the music. Reading these notes, you can see how much thought he put into the word-paintings of this book, so that they matched not only the words but Handel's glorious music as well. The only point of note is that there is a slight inaccuracy in the "Trumpet shall sound" passage, because Botts illustrates the words "For this corruptible must put on incorruptible..." rather than "...must put on incorruption...", but this word-painting still comes across as an effective calligraphic pictorial representation of this verse.Overall, though, this is an absolutely divine and heavenly Messiah book that can exist both as a companion to Handel's oratorio and as an independent book of its own. It's sad to know that it is out of print, for it could put CD librettos to shame before long. I strongly recommend this otherwise cherishable book to everyone who loves the Handel Messiah, and urge everyone to find a copy to accompany their existing recordings, including Pinnock, Gardiner and Solti.

Wonderful interpretation of Handel's Messiah with Tim Botts' imagination and skill. His love for his work shows on every page. This is a gift for a good friend who does beautiful calligraphy herself, and I know she will love this book. The book was listed as "like new" but I truly would consider it to be new--there is no sign of wear, or any markings on the pages.

Outstanding! The greatest calligrapher of our time. Full of colorful expression! His work speaks to the soul!!! Highly recommended.

Used book looked worn -- art work needs crisp pages for the full effect. The author expresses the text in a way that makes the meaning come alive.

As a musician, I'm love how these artful pages capture Handel's music as well as the text itself. Here the visual captures meaning and sound-- no easy feat. (Though it's also true that Handel 'painted' the meaning in sound!)

Messiah: Calligraphic Word Pictures Inspired by the Music and Text of Handel's Messiah. Stunning, brilliant, thought-provoking, colorful and very moving.

Just beautiful. I love coping Mr Botts art.

The product was advertised as new, but it was old, torn and written in. I sent it back, but never received a refund. The book was $75.00, too. A real rip-off.

カリグラフィーのデザイン参考にと購入したのですが、色の選択、配色がとても綺麗で　この価格でこれほどの作品が載っているのはとてもお得だと思います。製作意欲の湧く本です！