Die letzten Dinge WOO 61

Spohr's reputation as a violin virtuoso, composer, conductor and instrumental teacher was outstanding in the early Romantic period. Die letzten Dinge is considered the most important of his four oratorios. It met with unanimous enthusiasm at its premiere on Good Friday 1826. The oratorio is based on the most theologically significant parts of the New Testament Revelation of John, which Friedrich Rochlitz compiled into a libretto. In close collaboration with Rochlitz, Spohr brought the visions of death and eternity to musical fruition in a haunting manner, whereby a positive, cheerful and expectant attitude pervades the work.

The work represents an important enrichment of the oratorio literature, especially at the end of the church year; it captivates with its masterful instrumentation technique, clever use of chromaticism, large-scale solo recitatives and catchy choral parts full of heartfelt sensitivity on the one hand and stirring drama on the other.

With this edition, Carus has presented the oratorio in a critical edition for the first time.