The Messiah, by the Swedish composer SvenDavid Sandström, was commissioned by the Oregon Bach Festival and the Internationale Bachakademie Stuttgart to commemorate the Handel anniversary year 2009. In accordance with the wishes of these two institutions, the work is based on Charles Jennen’s English libretto which Handel set in his famous oratorio more than 260 years ago. Great expression and orchestral color characterize this Messiah of the 21st century, in which for Sandström modernity and euphony do not represent a contradiction – corresponding to his artistic credo: “My music should be understandable on first hearing and should touch people.”