William Sharp, bass. Live audio recording from performances by the Folger Consort and the Choir of Magdalen College, Oxford, at the National Building Museum, Washington, DC, December 20, 21, and 22, 1993.

From the King James Bible

Haggai 2:6-7 and Malachi 3:1

This bass solo is a famous example of Handel’s “word painting,” in which he makes the sound of a word match its meaning. The many rapid notes packed into the word “shake” show how God will shake heaven and Earth.

Charles Jennens. Messiah. An oratorio. As it is perform’d at the Theatre-Royal in Covent-Garden. Set to musick by Mr. Handel. London, 1749? Shelfmark 159–150q. Folger Shakespeare Library.