Forget the dyed eggs, the candy and the new spring outfits. I can't think of a better way to celebrate Easter than to listen to Handel's "Messiah." Not just the "Hallelujah Chorus" which is the part most familiar to all of us, but also the "Amen" which brings tears to my eyes with its gorgeous and complex interweaving of voices. When I first joined the local choir in Mendocino, CA, the "Messiah" was the first piece we worked on, and singing it was one of the high points of my life. Handel wrote "Messiah" in 24 days, for the Easter season, and the first performance was to benefit hospitals for the mentally ill.
This YouTube version of the "Amen" takes you on a journey through the galaxy.