Louis Spohr (1784-1859) was a prolific and highly-regarded composer in nineteenth century Europe.  His oratorio ‘The Last Judgement’, composed in 1826, was first performed in English at the Norwich Music Festival in 1830.  The work  was a mainstay of English choral societies right into the early twentieth century but is now performed relatively rarely – a great shame as it is an attractive piece with much to recommend it. It is firmly rooted in the classical tradition but is nevertheless reminiscent of Handel and there is, at times, a surprisingly contemporary feel of ‘jazziness’ in the accompaniment. The text is drawn from the Bible and falls into two parts. The first relates the power of God as an all-powerful ruler and judge, and the second tells of the ‘last judgement’ itself, leading to  new heaven and a new earth and ending with a splendid fugue of which Handel or Mendelssohn would have been proud.

Tickets and further details at:

http://www.thanetfestivalchoir.org/events/louis-spohr-the-last-judgment/