Sacred songs of Dvořák, Menotti, Ravel and Wolf

Abstract

This report examines the sacred works of four composers that were intended for performance in a secular environment, rather than for any portion of a liturgical service. It will discuss the theoretical, stylistic and performance considerations of each work, as well as biographical information about each composer, their compositional style, and how the work was initially developed. These works include the Biblické písně, Op. 99 of Antonín Dvořák, selections from the Möricke Lieder and Spanisches Liederbuch of Hugo Wolf, Maurice Ravel’s Deux mélodies hébraïque, “Oh, Sweet Jesus” from Gian Carlo Menotti’s’ the Saint of Bleecker Street and the quartet from his Amahl and the Night Visitors.