The rebirth of Mendelssohn's masterpiece: the Oratorium Paulus

The rebirth of Mendelssohn's masterpiece: the Oratorium Paulus

The legacy of Mendelssohn's oratorio "Paulus"

The music of Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy still has a strong presence in the world of classical music. Especially his oratorio "Paulus" fascinates music lovers and historians alike.

Mendelssohn was regarded as a worthy successor to the famous composer Handel. Despite later, anti -Semitic hostility, his work was never forgotten. Unlike his contemporary Johann Sebastian Bach, Mendelssohn's oratorios ensured that his works were continuously performed. This continuous presence ultimately brought Mendelssohn the success he deserved.

Mendelssohn's important work is his oratorio "Paulus", which he composed for choir, soloists and orchestras. The play tells the story of Saulus von Tarsus, who later changed to the apostle Paulus.

In two parts, Mendelssohn describes the persecution of the early Christian communities by Paul, his surprising conversion on the way to Damascus and finally his work as a missionary.

The premiere of the oratorio in 1836 triggered an euphoric reaction to the audience, followed by countless performances across Europe. During Mendelssohn's lifetime, "Paulus" was his most popular work.

Today the first part of the oratorio is broadcast as a prelude to three programs on Sunday evening at 8 p.m., in which the oratorios of Mendelssohn Bartholdy will be heard for the next few weeks.

With the constant performance of Mendelssohn's works, his musical heritage remains alive and always fascinates the listeners. The timeless quality of his music shows that Mendelssohn's oratorio "Paulus" is still an important and moving artistic performance.

- Nag