Awake the Trumpet’s Lofty Sound

Handel’s “Awake the Trumpet’s Lofty Sound” is a very energetic and joyful chorus from his oratorio Samson. The work was composed immediately after completion of the Messiah in 1741 and was first performed in London in 1743. Newburgh Hamilton’s libretto used in Samson is an adaption and abridgment of John Milton’s poem Samson Agonistes and some of Milton’s other poems. In this edition, the original words “Awake the trumpet’s lofty sound!” are followed by new words provided by the editor.