Composition: The Light of Life, Op. 29 (Elgar, Edward)

Title The Light of Life
Alternative title Lux Christi
Creators Edward Elgar (composer) and Edward Capel-Cure (librettist)
Opus Op.29
Instrumentation soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, mixed chorus and orchestra
Number of movements 16
Keys G major
Composed 1896
First published 1896
Dedication Dr. Charles Swinnerton Heap
Tempo markings —
Metronome markings —
Time signatures —
Average duration (sec) 3900
Number of measures —
Composition types Sacred oratorios
Language English
Period Romantic
View on IMSLP
Code

Sections

Title
click for details		 Metronome Key Measures
Meditation (Orchestra) — — —
Chorus (Levites) and Solo (tenor): Seek Him that maketh the seven stars — — —
Recit. (alto) and Chorus (Disciples): As Jesus passed by — — —
Solo (soprano): Be not extreme, O Lord — — —
Solo (baritone): Neither hath this man sinned — — —
Chorus: Light out of darkness — — —
Recit. (altobaritone): And when He had thus spoken — — —
Chorus or Duet (sopranoalto): Doubt not thy Father's care — — —
Soli (altotenor) and Chorus: He went his way therefore — — —
Solo (tenor): As a spirit didst Thou pass before mine eyes — — —
Recit. (alto) and Chorus: They brought him to the Pharisees — — —
Solo (alto): Thou only hast the words of life — — —
Recit. (sopranoaltotenor) and Chorus: But the Jews did not believe — — —
Solo (soprano) and Chorus of Women: Woe to the shepherds of the flock — — —
a) Recit. (altotenorbaritone): Jesus heard that they had cast him out; (b) Solo (baritone): I am the Good Shepherd — — —
Chorus: Light of the World, we know Thy praise — — —

Arrangements

Details Section Arranged for Arranger
view Meditation (No.1) military band
view Meditation (No.1) organ John Ebenezer West
view Meditation (No.1) piano
view Chorus: 'Light out of darkness' (No.6) mixed chorus and organ Herbert Arthur Chambers

Scores

Details Section Type Publisher Date File
view Complete — Novello 1908 Complete Score · view
view Meditation (Orchestra) (No.1) — Novello 1903 Complete Score · view
view Meditation (Orchestra) (No.1) — Novello 1903 Complete Score · view
view Meditation (Orchestra) (No.1) parts Novello 1896 Flute 1/2 · view
Oboe 1/2 · view
Clarinet 1/2 (B) · view
Bassoon 1/2, Contrabassoon · view
Horn 1/2 (F), 3/4 (B& E) · view
Trumpet 1/2 (F) · view
Trombone 1/2, Bass Trombone, Tuba · view
Timpani · view
Organ · view
Harp · view
Violins I · view
Violins II · view
Violas · view
Cellos/Basses · view
view Meditation (Orchestra) (No.1) parts Novello 1896 Flute 1/2 · view
Oboe 1/2 · view
Clarinet 1/2 (B) · view
Bassoon 1/2 · view
Contrabassoon · view
Horn 1/2 (F), 3/4 (B) · view
Trumpet 1/2 (F) · view
Trombone 1/2 · view
Trombone 3 · view
Tuba · view
Timpani · view
Organ · view
Harp · view
Violins I · view
Violins II · view
Violas · view
Cellos/Basses · view
view Complete vocal score Novello 1896 Complete Score · view
Complete Score · view
view Duet: Doubt not thy Father's care (No.8) vocal score Novello 1896 Complete Score · view
view Solo: As a spirit didst Thou pass (No.10) vocal score Novello 1896 Complete Score · view
view Chorus: Light of the World, we know Thy praise (No.16) vocal score Novello — Complete Score · view
view Meditation (No.1) Arrangement for military band Novello — Condensed Score · view
Complete Parts · view
view Meditation (No.1) Arrangement for military band John Morrison 2021 Flutes 1/2 (C), Alto Sax (for Soprano), Horns 1/2, 3/4 (F), Trumpets (B) · view
view Meditation (No.1) Arrangement for organ
by John Ebenezer West
 Novello 1898 Complete Score · view
Complete Score (b/w, A4) · view
view Meditation (No.1) Arrangement for piano Novello 1896 Complete Score · view
view Chorus: 'Light out of darkness' (No.6) Arrangement for mixed chorus and organ
by Herbert Arthur Chambers
 Novello 1936 Complete Score · view

Recordings/Performances

(No recordings)

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