CHAPTER VIII.

HARMONIES RELIGIEUSES.

The Oratorio of “Christus”--Its Title--The Origin of Oratorios--Their Relation to Opera--Gradual Changes in Style--The Dramatic Element in them--Liszt’s Original Treatment--A Wide Departure from Old Forms--Events Pictured in Music--Groupings of Materials--What it did for the Church--General Divisions of the Oratorio--The Motto of “Christus”--The Christmas Music--Introduction of the Stabat Mater--The Shepherds at the Manger--The Kings’ March--The “Seligkeit”--Entrance to Jerusalem--The Scene at Gethsemane--The Inflammatus--Skillful treatment of Motifs. 136-148