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.