Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy completed his first oratorio St. Paul Op.36 in 1836 at the age of twenty-seven. The first version which was premiered on 22 May 1836 was then extensively revised by the composer. This second version which at the same time served as the basis for the published version was premiered as early as October that year in Birmingham. The acclaim with which the oratorio was received was exceptional. Within eighteen months of completing the score Mendelssohn was able to list fifty performances of the work. Robert Schumann praised the work effusively and even Richard Wagner who later denigrated Mendelssohn was full of admiration. Today St. Paul belongs to the core repertoire of sacred choral music.This Urtext edition of the oratorio edited by the internationally-recognised Mendelssohn scholar Michael Cooper is based on all critical sources. As well as the principal version of the work the score also includes for the first time numbers which were composed for the first version and subsequently removed. This gives not only an insight into the history of the composition of the work but also with the complete performing material into the performance of the original version.The full score and vocal score (BA9071-90) include the German and English texts of the oratorio.The vocal score is by Mendelssohn.Urtext edition representing the latest musicological researchIncludes all numbers from the original version for the first timeVocal texts in German and EnglishStraightforward Piano reduction

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy completed his first oratorio – St. Paul Op.36 – in 1836 at the age of twenty-seven. The first version which was premiered on 22 May 1836 was then extensively revised by the composer. This second version which at the same time served as the basis for the published version was premiered as early as October that year in Birmingham. The acclaim with which the oratorio was received was exceptional. Within eighteen months of completing the score Mendelssohn was able to list fifty performances of the work. Robert Schumann praised the work effusively and even Richard Wagner who later denigratedMendelssohn was full of admiration. Today St. Paul belongs to the core repertoire of sacred choral music. This Urtext edition of the oratorio edited by the internationally-recognised Mendelssohn scholar Michael Cooper is based on all critical sources. As well as the principal version of the work the score also includes for the first time numbers which were composed for the first version and subsequently removed. This gives not only an insight into the history of the composition of the work but also with the complete performing material into the performance of the original version. The full score and vocal score (BA9071-90) include the German and English texts of the oratorio. The vocal score is by Mendelssohn. Urtext edition representing the latest musicological research Includes all numbers from the original version for the first time Vocal texts in German and English Straightforward Piano reduction

Oratorium in sechs Szenen-The oratorio ?Esther? is the first English language oratorio and also the first oratorio by Handel based on a theatre tragedy - Jean Racine?s ?Esther?. For the first time Handel drew on his knowledge gathered from stays in Germany Italy and England. He created his own particular style of oratorio writing which differs from the later integrative works. Many sections of this composition harken back to the previously composed ?Brockes-Passion?.The first performance took place in 1720. For the first public performance of the work in London in 1732 Handel arranged and enlarged ?Esther?. The Urtext of the HalleHandel Complete Edition presents the original version from 1720.- Reliable vocal score from the Urtext of the Halle Handel Edition BA4047-90- Performance material available for hire BA4047-72

Sacred Cantata-In the words of Karl Wilhelm Ramler this cantata is one of the most beautiful Christmas compositions of the 18th century. Written for a performance in 1759 it combines festive trumpet sounds with moving chorale settings.Telemann has used his musical resources with moderation and restraint allowing the chorus to appear at the central passages in both sections and painting an unobtrusive pastoral background for the Christmas setting. A worthy alternative in any Christmas concert.Our edition contains an English translation of the German text in an appendix and follows the Urtext of the Telemann Edition (vol. 30) thereby providing a reliabletext reflecting the latest findings of scholarship.Urtext of the Telemann EditionFull score and performance material (BA5852) and vocal score (BA5852-90) available for sale.