Question

Compare and contrast the scenes from Mendelssohn's Elijah and the 20th-century oratorio David and Bathsheba that are referenced in that learning session. How does each composer use musical language to communicate or enrich the narrative? Give specific examples.

Answer 1

Mendelssohn's Elijah and the 20th-century oratorio David and Bathsheba can be compared and contrasted in terms of how each composer uses musical language to communicate and enrich the narrative. Mendelssohn employs leitmotifs and choral textures in Elijah, while the composer of David and Bathsheba uses chromatic harmonies and instrumentation choices to convey emotions and advance the story.

Step-by-step explanation:

Elijah, composed by Mendelssohn, and the 20th-century oratorio David and Bathsheba can be compared and contrasted in terms of how each composer uses musical language to communicate and enrich the narrative.

In Elijah, Mendelssohn employs a variety of musical techniques to enhance the storytelling, such as leitmotifs to represent different characters or ideas, and the use of choral textures to convey a sense of community or conflict. For example, in the scene where Elijah confronts King Ahab, Mendelssohn uses a powerful choral fugue to represent the clash between the prophet and the king.

In David and Bathsheba, the composer also uses musical language to convey emotions and advance the narrative. One example is the use of chromatic harmonies and dissonance to portray the moral complexities of the story, as David grapples with his guilt and the consequences of his actions. Additionally, the composer may use instrumentation choices to represent specific characters or situations. For instance, a solo trumpet may be used to depict the presence of God or divine intervention.