Oratorio

An oratorio is a composition of sacred music, the term being derived from the Latin word oratorium (an oratory or cell for prayer), the place where such sacred compositions were originally performed.

The music consists of recitatives, arias, duets, trios, quartets, and choruses, accompanied by instruments.

Handel's "Messiah" and "Israel in Egypt," Mendelssohn's "Elijah" and "St. Paul," and Haydn's "Creation," are the grandest specimens of this style of music.

Bach wrote five oratorios, called Passions. Of the five, only three exist; and of the three, only two are printed and accessible; viz., "The Passion according to St. John," and that "according to St. Matthew:" the latter is considered the author's greatest work.

By a passion is meant an oratorio which has for its subject the occurrences of the last hours of the life of our Saviour.

It has been the custom among Protestant churches in Germany to perform a piece of music on high festival days in keeping with the religious service of the day, a custom probably originating in the "Mysteries," or Miracle Plays (q.v.), common in mediaeval times.

On Good Friday the History of the Passion and Death of the Saviour was chosen as the subject, and the narrative of one of the evangelists was taken. In these compositions, the narrative was delivered continously in recitative by a solo voice; and the story was interrupted by verses, sung by the congregation, set to those Chorales which form so rich and interesting a part of German musical literature.

This is exactly the method followed in the earliest Passion known, the date of which is 1573.

Changes were gradually introduced by the great masters of the German school, all of whom tried their highest flights in Passion music.

But the Matthew Passion of Bach far excels any of these works in dramatic power; and it would be perhaps impossible for any thing to be acted with more effect, if the solemn nature of the subject did not forbid such performance.