Composer

:

Simon Mayr

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1794

Average_duration

:

106:35

La Passione is a sacred oratorio composed by Simon Mayr, an Italian composer of the late classical and early romantic eras. The oratorio was composed in 1812 and premiered in Bergamo, Italy, on March 29, 1813. It is a large-scale work for soloists, choir, and orchestra, and is divided into three movements. The first movement, titled "The Last Supper," depicts the final meal that Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion. The music is solemn and reflective, with a sense of impending tragedy. The choir sings a setting of the Latin text "Pange lingua gloriosi," which describes the suffering and death of Christ. The second movement, titled "The Agony in the Garden," portrays Jesus' struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane, where he prayed before his arrest. The music is tense and dramatic, with dissonant harmonies and jagged rhythms. The soloists sing arias that express Jesus' anguish and fear, while the choir provides a commentary on the events. The third movement, titled "The Crucifixion," depicts the final hours of Jesus' life, from his trial before Pilate to his death on the cross. The music is intense and emotional, with powerful choral passages and expressive solos. The choir sings a setting of the Latin text "Crux fidelis," which praises the cross as a symbol of redemption and salvation. Overall, La Passione is a powerful and moving work that captures the drama and emotion of the Passion story. Mayr's music is deeply expressive and skillfully crafted, with a keen sense of drama and a mastery of choral and orchestral writing. The oratorio remains a significant work in the sacred music repertoire, and is a testament to Mayr's skill as a composer.

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