The Standard Oratorios: Their Stories, Their Music, And Their Composers

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

22793

Title

The Standard Oratorios: Their Stories, Their Music, And Their Composers

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

George P. Upton's handbook offers a comprehensive sketch of standard sacred oratorios, outlining their biblical stories, musical highlights, and composer biographies. Written for the general public, it avoids technical jargon to make the rich heritage of Bach, Handel, and others accessible to all who enjoy sacred music.

Summary up to 500 words

George P. Upton's *The Standard Oratorios* serves as an essential companion to his *Standard Operas*, designed to guide the general public through the rich world of sacred music. The volume traces the evolutionary history of the oratorio from its grotesque medieval origins in street plays and miracle-dramas to its refined form under the influence of San Filippo Neri and Emilio del Cavaliere. Upton details how these early performances, often featuring puppets and buffoonery, gradually evolved into serious sacred dramas when the Church assumed control. The book outlines the three principal stages of the oratorio's development, highlighting the contributions of masters such as Carissimi, who perfected the recitative, and Stradella, whose romantic history is intertwined with his compositions. Special attention is given to the works of Johann Sebastian Bach, including the *St. Matthew Passion* and the *Magnificat*. Upton describes the Passion as a masterpiece of dramatic power and theological significance, noting its unique structure involving double choruses, Lutheran chorales, and a narrative interpreted by reflections rather than traditional praise. He emphasizes the work's profound sorrow and the exquisite beauty of its solo arias. Similarly, the *Magnificat* is presented as one of Bach's grandest illustrations of genius, characterized by compactness and concentrated power. The text also covers other large-scale sacred compositions, such as Requiems by Berlioz, Mozart, and Verdi, and Te Deums by Handel, offering historical context and composer biographies for each. Upton's approach focuses on description rather than technical criticism, ensuring that readers can appreciate the breadth, richness, and spiritual resonance of these masterpieces without needing specialized musical knowledge. By avoiding technical jargon and focusing on the stories and emotions conveyed, the book makes these works valuable additions to any library of musical reference. The volume stands as a comprehensive sketch of the standard oratorios, outlining the sacred stories they tell and indicating their principal numbers, accompanied by biographies of composers and relevant historical matter. This method ensures that the spiritual depth and artistic achievement of the oratorio tradition are accessible to a wide audience.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/22793.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg22793.epub

Removed after upload

Downloaded at

2026-07-05 02:34 UTC

Categories

• Religion
• Music