Download - The great choral classics
The Great Choral The Great Choral ClassicsClassics
What is it?What is it?
Oratorio
Mass
OratorioOratorio
A choral piece for vocal soloists, mixed choir and orchestra.
Consists of movements
What are the What are the movementsmovements
Overture: an orchestral movement that opens the work
Aria: a movement for the soloists, usually accompanied by the orchestra
Recitative: a short section that drives the plot forward, sung by a soloist and usually accompanied by just a few strings or continuo
Chorus: a movement for choir and orchestra
Orchestral interlude: a movement for just orchestra
OratorioOratorioNumber of similarities to an opera - what are they
Unlike an opera:
•Oratorio uses religious texts
•Suitable for performance in church
•Not theatrical
•Not performed with scenery
G.F. HandelG.F. Handel
Verdi (1813 - 1901)Verdi (1813 - 1901)
Italian romantic composer
Mainly wrote opera
Influenced by Rossini
In 1869, Verdi was asked to compose a section for a requiem mass in memory of Rossini.
It was never performed in Verdi's lifetime.
G.F. Handel (1685-G.F. Handel (1685-1759)1759)
German/British composer famous for his,
•Operas
•Oratorios
•Anthems
•Concertos
His most famous oratorio was the Messiah with its Hallelujah Chorus.
MassMass
Based on Latin text from the Catholic communion services.
It contains choruses, solos and instrumental interludes.
Contains 6 movements
The texts are of repentance, praise and belief.
Texts is mostly Latin
Requiem MassRequiem Mass'Mass for the Dead'
Used to honour the deceived in a funeral context.
It replaces the more joyful sections of the mass
Eg. Dies Irae 'Day of Wrath'
Verdi composed a very dramatic Dies Irae in his Requiem.
RelationshipsRelationships
The conductor is responsible for keeping the choir, orchestra and soloists together.
The orchestra might take centre stage in an interlude then accompany the choir in the chorus
Within movements musicians may swap roles in a similar way
RelationshipsRelationships
There can be a mixture of the following textures:
•Contrapuntal
•Homophonic
•Melody and accompaniment
We will see how this works in some pieces.