Could Gareth Malone's latest test be too hard to Handel?

Gareth Malone is tackling Handel's Messiah with eight novice singers.

- By Richard Jones reports

Composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel, Messiah is one of the best-known choral works in western music.

The English-language oratorio has deep personal significance for many people, including Gareth Malone, as it was one of the first pieces of classical music he saw performed as a child.

But although he has loved and sung Messiah since he was a boy, the choirmaster has never conducted the work - until now.