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

Title	The Light of Life
Alternative title	Lux Christi
Creators	Edward Elgar, composer 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
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 (click to view)
View	Complete	—	Novello	1908	Complete Score
View	Meditation (Orchestra) (No.1)	—	Novello	1903	Complete Score
View	Meditation (Orchestra) (No.1)	—	Novello	1903	Complete Score
View	Meditation (Orchestra) (No.1)	parts	Novello	1896	Flute 1/2 Oboe 1/2 Clarinet 1/2 (B) Bassoon 1/2, Contrabassoon Horn 1/2 (F), 3/4 (B& E) Trumpet 1/2 (F) Trombone 1/2, Bass Trombone, Tuba Timpani Organ Harp Violins I Violins II Violas Cellos/Basses
View	Meditation (Orchestra) (No.1)	parts	Novello	1896	Flute 1/2 Oboe 1/2 Clarinet 1/2 (B) Bassoon 1/2 Contrabassoon Horn 1/2 (F), 3/4 (B) Trumpet 1/2 (F) Trombone 1/2 Trombone 3 Tuba Timpani Organ Harp Violins I Violins II Violas Cellos/Basses
View	Complete	vocal score	Novello	1896	Complete Score Complete Score
View	Duet: Doubt not thy Father's care (No.8)	vocal score	Novello	1896	Complete Score
View	Solo: As a spirit didst Thou pass (No.10)	vocal score	Novello	1896	Complete Score
View	Chorus: Light of the World, we know Thy praise (No.16)	vocal score	Novello	—	Complete Score
View	Meditation (No.1)	Arrangement for military band	Novello	—	Condensed Score Complete Parts
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	Meditation (No.1)	Arrangement for organ by John Ebenezer West	Novello	1898	Complete Score Complete Score (b/w, A4)
View	Meditation (No.1)	Arrangement for piano	Novello	1896	Complete Score
View	Chorus: 'Light out of darkness' (No.6)	Arrangement for mixed chorus and organ by Herbert Arthur Chambers	Novello	1936	Complete Score

Recordings/Performances

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