The Last Judgment

Scoring: Solo SATB, Coro SATB, 2 Fl, 2 Ob, 2 Clt, 2 Fg, 2 Cor, 2 Tr, 3 Trb, Timp, 2 Vl, Va, Vc, Cb

Louis Spohr‘s oratorio The Last Judgment is one of his most successful works and one of the most important contributions to the repertoire of the oratorio. The premiere on Good Friday 1826 was a huge success. It is based on the theologically most significant portions of the Revelations of John in the New Testament, which Friedrich Rochlitz compiled for the libretto. In collaboration with Rochlitz Spohr vividly portrayed in music the visions of death and eternity. The composition is suffused by a positive, comforting fundamental attitude of joyful anticipation.

The work is especially suitable for the end of the church year. It is captivating on account of its masterful instrumentation, excellent use of chromaticism, large-scale solo recitatives and accessible choral passages filled with heartfelt sensitivity on the one hand, and exciting drama on the other.

Carus has published the first critical edition of the oratorio.