Composer

:

Jean Françaix

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Oratorio

Compose Date

:

1938 - 1939

Average_duration

:

37:37

L'Apocalypse selon St. Jean is a choral work composed by Jean Françaix in 1961. The piece is based on the biblical book of Revelation and is divided into six movements. It was premiered on June 22, 1961, at the Festival of Strasbourg. The first movement, "Prologue," sets the tone for the piece with a dramatic and ominous opening. The choir sings in unison, building to a powerful climax before fading away. The second movement, "Les Sept Eglises," is a depiction of the seven churches mentioned in the book of Revelation. Each church is represented by a different musical theme, ranging from the joyful to the mournful. The third movement, "Les Quatre Cavaliers," is a depiction of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. The music is fast-paced and frenzied, with the choir and orchestra working together to create a sense of chaos and destruction. The fourth movement, "Les Anges," is a more peaceful interlude, with the choir singing in a gentle, ethereal style. The fifth movement, "La Bête," is a depiction of the beast mentioned in the book of Revelation. The music is dark and menacing, with the choir and orchestra working together to create a sense of fear and dread. The final movement, "Le Triomphe de l'Agneau," is a triumphant conclusion to the piece. The choir sings in a joyful, celebratory style, with the orchestra providing a powerful accompaniment. Overall, L'Apocalypse selon St. Jean is a powerful and dramatic work that showcases Françaix's skill as a composer. The piece is characterized by its use of contrasting musical themes and its ability to create a sense of drama and tension. It remains a popular work in the choral repertoire to this day.

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