Mendelssohn Paulus

Melodic beauty in Mendelssohn Paulus Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy’s oratorio Paulus is one of the most significant works in the Romantic oratorio tradition.

Marked by Mendelssohn’s characteristic clarity of form, melodic beauty and dramatic power, it is regarded today as one of the most important oratorios of the 19th century and is still performed regularly in concert halls around the world. This is also the case in Denmark, with Københavns Kantatekor.

Paulus is divided into two parts and is structured like Händel’s Messias, drawing on a range of biblical texts, but also incorporating chorales, just as we know from Bach’s oratorios. Through a series of choral, solo and orchestral passages, the work depicts Paulus’s dramatic life.

Among the musical highlights are the choral movements “Mache dich auf”, followed by the imposing choral chorale “Wachet auf!” – “Zions vægter”, as it is known in Danish. These are among the most famous numbers and express a powerful call to spiritual awakening.

Mendelssohn’s music is beautiful, grand, heartfelt and expressive, and in our view Paulus is a work that deserves a far more central place than it currently holds. So come along for a truly memorable experience with the large choir and orchestra. We look forward to welcoming you to the concerts, which take place on: Sunday 25 October at 15:00, Store Magleby Kirke Wednesday 28 October at 19:30, Helligaandskirken The soloists in Mendelssohn Paulus are: Katinka Bohse Meyer (soprano), Gustav Wenzel Most (tenor) & Teit Kanstrup (bass).

Københavns Kantatekor and orchestra are conducted by Torben H.S. Svendsen.

Many thanks to these foundations for supporting the Paulus concerts: Aage og Johanne Louis-Hansens Fond A.P. Møller Fonden Augustinus Fonden Knud Højgaards Fond William Demant Fonden Concert duration: 2 hours and 15 minutes, including an interval