Music and The Passion: Historical Overview
The following paper explores the way the theme of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of the Jesus Christ has been treated in vocal music throughout the ages. It provides a history of music in the Passion, divided chronologically into two parts. The first part of the history covers music from Middle ages until the end of the Renaissance in the Passion. And the second part treats vocal music from the early Baroque period until today.
MUSIC AND THE PASSION – PART I
I. Liturgical drama
- Planctus, Blessed Virgin Mary Laments
- Quem Meritis dialogues
- Visitatio Sepulchri (Visitation to the Sepulchre)
- Ludus Paschalis: Ressurrection Plays
- Passion plays
- Passion Gospel
II.Vernacular liturgical drama
- England
- Italy
- Germany
- a) The Marienklage (Lament of Mary)
- b) Passion Plays
MUSIC AND THE PASSION – PART II
I. Staged works:
- Jesuit drama
- Sacra rapprasentatione (Sacred play)
- Sepolcro (Sepulchre)
- Passion play at Oberammergau
- Wagner sacred drama
- Passion Musicals
- The Passion Opera
II. Unstaged works
- The St Philpe Nery oratories
- The Oratorio
- Oratorio in Viena, Metastasio’s Libretto Passio
- German Passion
- The Passion Cantatas
- Stabat Mater
- England
- Haendel and the English oratorio
- Grand Choral Festivals
- The Cathedral choral tradition
- Germany
- 20th and 21st Century Passion