This recording of Mendelssohn's 'Elias' was made on January 29, 2016, at the Konzerthaus Dortmund.
Composition History
Mendelssohn himself compiled the libretto for 'Elias' by combining passages from the First Book of Kings, psalm verses, and other biblical sources, creating parallels to the Passion of Christ.
Compositional Technique
The oratorio 'Elias' portrays the prophet's life through a series of episodes rather than a continuous plot, covering events from the drought prophecy to his ascent into heaven.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Mendelssohn insisted on a dramatic approach for the 'Elias' libretto, wanting the characters to be "living, talking and acting beings" rather than a purely contemplative work.
Composition History
The creation of 'Elias' was a lengthy process, taking almost twenty years, partly due to difficulties in finding a suitable libretto.
Critical Reception
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy's oratorio 'Elias' premiered on August 26, 1846, to overwhelming public and critical acclaim, with the English 'Times' reviewer praising it as a "perfect triumph."
Performer Biography
Thomas Hengelbrock, the conductor, founded the Balthasar-Neumann-Chor in 1991 and the Balthasar-Neumann-Ensemble in 1995, both of which are internationally successful.
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