Since by man came death

When a choir opens the pages of Handel's "Since by man came death," they are stepping into one of the most dramatic contrasts in sacred music. The piece alternates sharply between the heavy solemnity of the grave and the sudden, bright burst of resurrection. It is a profound reflection on mortality and the hope we carry as Christians, built entirely around the scriptural promise that life overcomes the grave.

In the choir loft, this piece demands careful attention to dynamics and tempo. The slow, quiet quartet sections—"Since by man came death" and "For as in Adam all die"—require a hushed, almost mournful reverence. Then, without warning, the full chorus erupts in a joyful, driving allegro to declare that "by man came also the resurrection of the dead." We often sing this during the Easter season to celebrate Christ's victory, and it also brings immense comfort when offered at funerals, reminding the congregation that death does not have the final word.