New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-04-28
Text Compiled Mainly From
the First Book of Kings
Is Wonderful Oratorio.

through the many inquiries received
by members of the society from var
ious sources relative to the work,
so for the benefit of all music low
ers description of the text and
music OF the oratorio follows:
The text was compiled mainly
from the First Book OF Kings and
the prominent scenes treated are
the drought prophecy, the raising OF
the widows son, the rival sacri-
fees, the appearance of the rain in
answer to Elijah's appeal, Jezebels
persecution of Elijah, the soiourn
in the desert, his return. his disap-
pearance in the fiery chariot and
the finale, which reflects upon the
meaning of the sacred narrative.
The scenes themselves indicate the
dramatic character of the oratorio
In this respect, indeed, Mendelssohn
may almost be said to have created
new school of oratorio construc-
ton. Elijah" could be placed upon
the stage with scenery costume,
and properties as a sacred opera. and
make powerful impression.
The introduction to the oratorio is
prefaced by brief but very impress
sive ecitative-Elijah prophecy Of
the drought; leading directly to the
overture. somber. despairing pre-
Jude, picturing the distress which is
to follow as the curse settles down
upon the streams and valleys. At last
the suffering is voiced in the open
ing chorus ("Help, Lord") which,
after three passionate appeals. moves
along in plaintive beauty, develop
ing phrase after phrase of touching
appeal and leading to a second
chorus, with duet for two sopranos
t"Lord, Bow Thine Ear to Our
PrayerD. the choral part of which
Is an old Jewish chant, sung alter
nately by the male and female voices
in unison. 1t is followed by Oba-
diah's lovely tenor aria, IF With All
Your Hearts," full of tenderness and
consolation. Again the people break
out into a chorus of lamentation
("Yet Doth the Lord See 1t Not"),
morning worship. 7o;45, beginners
which at the close develops into
chorale of graceful and serene beau
ty f"For He the Lord Our God"). |
Then follows a voice of an Angel !
summoning Elijah. to the brook of
Cherith, leading to the beautiful
quaret, the melody of which Is
simple. but full Of animation and
worked I'm with n sLi,,ful eeyeo+ As.to
the Angel summons Elijah IN on N
the Widows house at Zarenhatb Tho
dramatic scene of the raisiny ~ ber
son ensues, comprising & passionate
m IN WITH TSen ~, o,a ~ ,a,.,a
declaration of the nronhet give Ne
Thv Son" and CLOSING with 49, w.
Elective cborus .pIessea 49, 49, NJ
Who Fear Hin, -
In tho next soo
nearance ~ EIiiat hoeo nc "p
the cbaIIerga 81 ~ -. auu
m tba ssorisoo 80 ~. 1,a VI 'aal
forth IN 1,iroro,,. 49,, oai met SCI
naniad h,, shout go, aeeoi'l-
AZ tba u.ords 70 r,,,ias sts'
in.ohe your Forest gods and
uei'ies' the Priests OF Baal
e"h ou. iiiIo the SURFING double
M 10, Dadl' we cry 10 thee which
80 any sensual anu healhehish IN
10 lssseu, aorup. meiodles' as COM
W WIN lie ehristiah music. AT ,
rs ciose EilJan STANDS by mocking .
.iienl ana plddlng the heathens call
hi''' iouuer' LOT pefadNehture ne
Sieepeth.
Inc prlesIs renew thelr shouts, each
'iiiie WIN increasing force, pauslng IN p.
van LOT the reply, ana closing with
q rapid almost angry expostulaton
\ near ana answer j. Ihen follows .
lhe ealih' uisiined prayer OF the
prophet \ hord Iou OF Abraham },
Succeedeu py simpie' put oeautiful
clloiaie LAST my burdeh upon the
L-oro II Is the moment OF quiet pc
lore tne storm "hlch IS 10 come he
calis LOT the hre 10 descend upon the
affair." ana chofus OF passionate
energy replies, Inc nre descends
from heaven, accompanied oy iml-
tative music, and closing with a brief
movement IN proad harmony. In
lieIce recitallVe E'iJah oooins the
priests or Baal TO destruction, and
after snort choral reply sings the
bass aria, is not HIS Word ike
hre "a song OF extraordinary diffl-
Guilty, ana requiring voice or excep-
tlonal accuracy ana power Tor lts
proper performance
Ihen follows the ram scene. Elljah
N a peautltul passage repeated py tne
chorus calls TO open the HeaVens
and SEND us reilet' AS the orchestra
reaches lts climax IN limitation OF the
gathering storm the chorus breaks
put into passionate shout OF delight
THANKS be to God and the frSt III