Question by : Does Rachmaninoff’s The Bells is an oratorio?
Well, I read at wikipedia about oratorio. It describes oratorio as a composition for orchestra, chorus and soloist/s; i think The Bells suites this statement. But I often heard “Rachmaninoff’s symphony the bells”. I think it’s the same as Beethoven’s symphony no. 9 or Mahler’s symphony no. 8. Or maybe oratorio can be a form of symphony?”Rachmaninoff’s symphony the bells”. I think it’s the same as Beethoven’s symphony no. 9 or Mahler’s symphony no. 8. Or maybe oratorio can be a form of symphony?
Answers and Views:
Answer by del_icious_manager
Rakhmaninov called it a ‘choral symphony’. It is entirely symphonic in form, but with the addition of a chorus and three vocal soloists.
Works for orchestra, chorus and soloists can be motets, cantatas, oratorios or even not have a specific form. They can also be ‘choral symphonies’, of which there are plenty of examples:
Beethoven – Symphony No 9
Britten – Spring Symphony
Havergal Brian – Symphonies Nos 1 and 4
Hanson – Symphony No 7
Holmboe – Symphony No 4
Holst – Choral Symphony No 1
Liszt – Faust Symphony
Mendelssohn – Symphony No 2
Rosenberg – Symphony No 4
Schnittke – Symphony No 4
Shostakovich – Symphony No 13
Szymanowski – Symphony No 3
Tansman – Symphony No 6
Tournemire – Symphony No 6
Vaughan Williams – A Sea Symphony
Read all the answers in the comments.
What do you think?
Dave U says
An oratorio is usually written as a succession of short choral numbers interspersed with instrumental and vocal solos, often as many as twenty to thirty sections and commonly an overture to start off with. Think of it as being a bit like an opera, but without the acting, costumes, scenery and props. It normally tells a story, the narrative often being based on a biblical text. Examples are Handel's "Messiah", Mendelssohn's "Elijah", "Belshazzar's Feast" by Walton.
As Del points out, "The Bells" is definitely symphonic in structure – four movements – but with the addition of chorus and soloists.