Composer

:

Felix Mendelssohn

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Incidental Music

Compose Date

:

Nov 12, 1845

Publication Date

:

ca. 1848 - 1849

First Performance

:

Dec 1, 1845

Average_duration

:

45:11

Movement_count

:

8

Movement ....

Athalie, Op. 74 is an oratorio composed by Felix Mendelssohn in 1845. It is based on the French play Athalie by Jean Racine, which tells the story of the wicked queen Athalie who tries to kill all the descendants of the House of David in order to secure her own power. The oratorio was premiered on August 30, 1845, at the Birmingham Festival in England. The oratorio is divided into three movements, each of which is further divided into several sections. The first movement, titled "The Destruction of the Temple," depicts the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. The second movement, titled "The Conversion of Joas," tells the story of the young Joas, the last surviving descendant of the House of David, who is hidden away from Athalie and eventually crowned king. The final movement, titled "The Triumph of the Righteous," celebrates the victory of the righteous over the wicked. Mendelssohn's music for Athalie is characterized by its dramatic intensity and emotional power. The opening chorus of the first movement, "Help, Lord," is a powerful plea for divine intervention, with the choir and orchestra building to a climactic crescendo. The second movement features several beautiful arias, including "Oh, Joas, Our Hope," which expresses the people's hope for a new king, and "Oh, God of Our Fathers," which celebrates the restoration of the House of David. The final movement is a triumphant celebration of the victory of the righteous, with the choir and orchestra joining together in a joyful chorus of praise. Overall, Athalie is a powerful and moving work that showcases Mendelssohn's skill as a composer of choral music. Its themes of faith, hope, and triumph over adversity continue to resonate with audiences today.

More....