[Classical] Masterpieces of oratorios. Recommended classical music.

Saint LudmilaAntonín Dvořák

Antonin Dvorak – Introduzione e coro ( Saint Ludmila )

It is an oratorio by the Czech composer Antonín Dvořák, famous for his Symphony No.

9 “From the New World.” Although it is rarely performed, Dvořák composed many sacred works—most notably the well-known Stabat Mater—and this piece is one of them.

It is based on the legend of Saint Ludmila, a tale long told in the Czech lands; Ludmila is said to have been a real person who lived in the 9th century.

The musical character is quintessentially Dvořák, with similarities to the middle section of the fourth movement of the New World Symphony and to the Slavonic Dances.

It is a hidden masterpiece from Dvořák’s mature period, when he wrote works such as the Slavonic Dances.

Paradise and PellyRobert Schumann

Schumann: Das Paradies und die Peri ∙ hr-Sinfonieorchester ∙ Philippe Herreweghe

This is an oratorio by the German composer Robert Schumann, famous for “Träumerei.” While oratorios often take Christian themes, this one is set in the Persian world.

Its story follows a child of the Peri tribe, who, having been cast out of paradise for sin, seeks an offering that will allow reentry into paradise.

The premiere took place on December 4, 1843, at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, conducted by Schumann himself, and it was a great success.

Felix Mendelssohn, a contemporary composer, also sent Schumann words of praise for this work.

NagasakiAlfred Schnittke

Alfred Schnittke `NAGASAKI` OP. 19

This is an oratorio composed by Alfred Garrievich Schnittke, a Soviet composer of German-Jewish descent, as his graduation project at the Moscow Conservatory.

The work takes the atomic bombing of Nagasaki as its motif, and uses texts rendered into Russian from Tōson Shimazaki’s “Morning” and Eisaku Yoneda’s “River, Forever Beautiful.” In Japanese, an oratorio is called “seitankyoku” and is often associated with sacred music; however, because this work is based on an event that occurred in Japan, it stands out as an unconventional oratorio.

Although it was highly praised by the Russian composer Georgy Sviridov, it was not recognized by the Composers’ Union, and despite being composed in 1958, it was not performed until 2006.

Its atmosphere is also close to incidental music, so please approach it from a perspective different from that of other oratorios.

The Dream of GerontiusEdward Elgar

Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius [Barbirolli] Janet Baker, Richard Lewis, Kim Borg

This is an oratorio composed by the British composer Edward Elgar, famous for orchestral works such as Pomp and Circumstance and Salut d’Amour.

It is also rendered as The Dream of Gerontius, and was inspired by the long poem The Dream of Gerontius, which Elgar received from a cardinal when he married at the age of 32.

While many of Elgar’s orchestral works—epitomized by Pomp and Circumstance—are notably strict and brisk, this oratorio is grand and romantic.

At its premiere, audiences had expected a Handelian oratorio, and many were surprised by Elgar’s new approach.

However, some critics, including Bernard Shaw, recognized The Dream of Gerontius as a masterpiece, praising its mystery and lyricism, effective choral writing, vivid musical imagery, and noble spirituality.

The Book of the Seven SealsFranz Schmidt

Franz Schmidt, Das Buch mit 7 Siegeln, “Gnade sei mit euch” – Stig Fogh Andersen 1998

This oratorio was composed in 1938 by the Austrian composer Franz Schmidt.

Using a text inspired by the New Testament’s Book of Revelation, it weaves elements of Gregorian chant and Bach’s sacred music together with modern sonorities, leaving a powerful impression with its grand style.