Third Oratorio: Tod und Sieg des Herrn (Death and Victory of the Lord), op. 73
Encyclopedia
Tod und Sieg des Herrn is an oratorio
from Felix Draeseke
.
Christus consists of four sections:
The third oratorio, Opus 73, is the story of the Passion of Christ. It contains three parts – the Betrayal, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection. Each part is divided into three scenes:
A chorus of 150-200 members functions largely as a plot-enhancing device, replacing the role that had traditionally been filled by recitative. Only in the form of the Chorus of Angels and the Chorus of the Faithful does the chorus play an observational role, commenting on the plot rather than becoming involved in it. Every other role assigned to the chorus becomes a character role. The following table illustrates the two observational roles (Angels and the Faithful) and the eight character roles represented by the chorus. Of these, the Chorus of the Pharisees and the Chorus of the People play perhaps the largest role in the lead-up to the Crucifixion; just as the crowd influenced Pontias Pilate, so does the chorus influence both Caiphas and Pilate in this oratorio. The choral writing resembles the turbae scenes of traditional oratorio, with one major difference: the cries and calls of the chorus lead directly to Christ’s conviction.
Oratorio
An oratorio is a large musical composition including an orchestra, a choir, and soloists. Like an opera, an oratorio includes the use of a choir, soloists, an ensemble, various distinguishable characters, and arias...
from Felix Draeseke
Felix Draeseke
Felix August Bernhard Draeseke was a composer of the "New German School" admiring Liszt and Richard Wagner. He wrote compositions in most forms including eight operas and stage works, four symphonies, and much vocal and chamber music.-Life:Felix Draeseke was born in the Franconian ducal town of...
.
Christus consists of four sections:
Prelude – The Birth of the Lord
First Oratorio – The manifestation of the Christ
Second Oratorio – Christ the Prophet
Third Oratorio – Death and Triumph of the Lord
The third oratorio, Opus 73, is the story of the Passion of Christ. It contains three parts – the Betrayal, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection. Each part is divided into three scenes:
| The Betrayal | The Crucifixion | The Resurrection |
| I. Preparing for Passover | I. Jesus before Caiphas | I. The Resurrection |
| II. The Last Supper | II. Jesus before Pilate | II. Further Manifestations of the Resurrection |
| III. Jesus in Gethsemane | III. The Walk to the Cross | III. Jesus reveals himself to his disciples |
| IV. The Betrayal | IV. Jesus on the Cross | IV. Ascension and Final Chorus |
A chorus of 150-200 members functions largely as a plot-enhancing device, replacing the role that had traditionally been filled by recitative. Only in the form of the Chorus of Angels and the Chorus of the Faithful does the chorus play an observational role, commenting on the plot rather than becoming involved in it. Every other role assigned to the chorus becomes a character role. The following table illustrates the two observational roles (Angels and the Faithful) and the eight character roles represented by the chorus. Of these, the Chorus of the Pharisees and the Chorus of the People play perhaps the largest role in the lead-up to the Crucifixion; just as the crowd influenced Pontias Pilate, so does the chorus influence both Caiphas and Pilate in this oratorio. The choral writing resembles the turbae scenes of traditional oratorio, with one major difference: the cries and calls of the chorus lead directly to Christ’s conviction.
| Name of Chorus | Angels | Faithful | Disciples | Bumbailiffs | Pharisees | Elders | People | Soldiers | Women | Guardians of the Grave | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voice parts | SSAT | SATB I-II | ATBB | TB | TBB | TB | SATB | TB | SSA | TB | |
| Part 1 - The Betrayal | |||||||||||
| I Preparing for Passover | 1 | 2 | |||||||||
| II The Lord's Supper | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
| III Jesus in Gethsemane | 2 | ||||||||||
| IV The Treason | 2 | ||||||||||
| Part 2 - The Crucifixion | |||||||||||
| I Jesus before Caiphas | 1 | 4 | 1 | ||||||||
| II Jesus before Pilate | 4 | 5 | 1 | ||||||||
| III The walk to the cross | 1 | ||||||||||
| IV Jesus on the cross | 7 | ||||||||||
| Part 3 - The Resurrection | |||||||||||
| I The Resurrection | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
| II Other testifyings of the Resurrection | 1 | ||||||||||
| III Jesus appeareth unto the disciples | 1 | 3 | |||||||||
| IV Ascension and Final Chorus | 1 | ||||||||||