Composer

:

Zoltán Kodály

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Motet

Compose Date

:

1934

Publication Date

:

1934

Average_duration

:

6:25

'Jesus and the Traders' is a choral work composed by Zoltán Kodály in 1938. The piece was premiered on December 18, 1938, in Budapest, Hungary, by the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hungarian Radio Choir, conducted by the composer himself. The work is divided into three movements, each depicting a different scene from the Bible. The first movement, titled "The Cleansing of the Temple," portrays Jesus driving out the money changers and merchants from the temple. The music is intense and dramatic, with dissonant harmonies and angular melodies that reflect the chaos and violence of the scene. The second movement, "The Lament of Mary," is a mournful aria sung by Mary as she watches her son being crucified. The music is slow and sorrowful, with long, lyrical lines that express Mary's grief and despair. The final movement, "The Resurrection," is a triumphant chorus that celebrates Jesus' victory over death. The music is joyful and exuberant, with bright harmonies and lively rhythms that convey the sense of hope and renewal that comes with the resurrection. Overall, 'Jesus and the Traders' is a powerful and emotionally charged work that showcases Kodály's skill as a composer and his deep understanding of the human experience. The piece is notable for its use of folk melodies and rhythms, which give it a distinctly Hungarian flavor, as well as its innovative harmonies and complex choral textures.

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