The Musical Genesis of Felix Mendelssohn's Paulus

Felix Mendelssohn is chiefly remembered for the oratorios "Paulus" and "Elijah". This is an analysis of "Paulus", beginning with an overview of the oratorio traditions of the early 19th century. He details phases of the compositional process as well as principles governing its development.

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Felix Mendelssohn is one of the most celebrated figures of the early Romantic period. As a composer of sacred texts, he is chiefly remembered today for the oratorios Paulus (1836) and Elijah (1846). In this groundbreaking study, Siegwart Reichwald offers a meticulous analysis of Paulus, beginning with a general overview of the oratorio traditions of the early nineteenth century. He details the phases of the compositional process of Paulus as well as principles governing its development. Numerous musical examples, figures, and tables accompany the text. This thorough treatment of Paulus, while shedding light on Mendelssohn's approach to the oratorio and to sacred music in general, will be of interest to students of musicology.