Composer

:

Hector Berlioz

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Oratorio

Compose Date

:

Oct 1850 - Jul 1854

Average_duration

:

84:40

Movement_count

:

25

Movement ....

Hector Berlioz's 'L'Enfance du Christ' is a three-part oratorio that tells the story of the Holy Family's flight into Egypt. The piece was composed in 1854 and premiered in Paris on December 10th of the same year. The oratorio is divided into three parts: 'The Dream of Herod,' 'The Flight into Egypt,' and 'The Arrival at Sais.' The first movement, 'The Dream of Herod,' begins with a haunting melody played by the English horn, which sets the tone for the entire piece. The movement tells the story of King Herod's dream, in which he sees a child who will one day become king. Fearing for his own power, Herod orders the massacre of all male infants in Bethlehem. The movement ends with a chorus of angels warning Joseph to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt. The second movement, 'The Flight into Egypt,' is a pastoral scene that depicts the Holy Family's journey through the desert. The music is gentle and peaceful, with a solo for the tenor representing Joseph's voice. The movement ends with a chorus of shepherds welcoming the Holy Family to their land. The final movement, 'The Arrival at Sais,' takes place in the Egyptian city of Sais. The music is exotic and mysterious, with a solo for the baritone representing the Egyptian priest. The movement ends with a chorus of Egyptians praising the Holy Family and recognizing Jesus as the son of God. 'L'Enfance du Christ' is characterized by Berlioz's use of orchestration and vocal writing. The piece features a large orchestra, including a prominent role for the English horn, which Berlioz used to represent the voice of the divine. The vocal writing is also notable for its use of soloists and choruses, which represent different characters and groups in the story. Overall, 'L'Enfance du Christ' is a beautiful and moving work that showcases Berlioz's skill as a composer and his ability to tell a compelling story through music.

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