Elijah (1847 Mendelssohn / Klingemann, Bartholomew), oratorio

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Elijah (1847) is a oratorio by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (mus) and Karl Klingemann (German libr.; English tr. William Bartholomew).

Abstract

Mendelssohn originally composed the work to a German libretto by Karl Klingemann. However on being commissioned by the Birmingham Festival to write an oratorio Mendelssohn had the libretto translated into English by William Bartholomew, and the oratorio was premiered in the English version. The German version premiered on February 3rd, 1848, on Mendelssohn's 39th birthday, in Leipzig, some months after the composer's death.

The work is scored for four vocal soloists (bass/baritone, tenor, alto, soprano), full symphony orchestra (including trombones, ophicleide, organ) and a large chorus singing usually in four, but occasionally eight or three (women only) parts. The title role is sung by the bass/baritone

Reform Jew pianist and composer Charles Salaman adapted "He that Shall Endure to the End" from Elijah as a setting for Psalm 93 (Adonai Malakh), sung on most Friday nights at the sabbath-eve service of the London Spanish & Portuguese Jewish community.

Editions

Premiered in Birmingham [England]: 1847.


External links

  • [ Google Books]
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