The Last
Judgment is a
through-composed
symphonic tableau that
follows the structure of
the text of
Matthew 25 : 31-46,
underlining it in a
figuralistic manner.
Other scriptural
references are also to be
found: an image of the
sun that turns dark (Acts
of the Apostles 2: 20),
and, before the gathering
of the nations, twelve
chords representing the
thrones for the judgment
of the twelve tribes of
Israel (Matthew 19: 28).
The thematic material
combines original figures
with Gregorian chant:
the Gloria&
nbsp;from
the Missa de
Angelis;
the Alleluia of the
Epiphany; Dies
irae, the sequence
fromthe Requiem
Mass; In
paradisum, the
burial antiphon. The
sections in recitative
style follow the
declamatory rhythm of the
corresponding verses in
Arabic, the
composer’s mother
tongue. Finally, the
registration requires a
symphonic style organ
such as the Goll organ in
Memmingen, Germany, at
which the composer
prepared the orchestral
expression of this work