Mendelssohn: Lauda Sion, Op. 73, MWV A 24

Mendelssohn's “Lauda Sion” MWV A 24 is an almost complete setting of the Corpus Christi sequence for soloists, choir and orchestra. It was commissioned for the celebration of the 600th anniversary of Corpus Christi in 1846 in the church of St. Martin in Liège, Belgium, where the first celebration of this high feast was held. In the eight movements of this work, a four-part mixed choir, a quartet of soloists and a soprano soloist alternately present the text by Thomas Aquinas, with the choir taking the largest part.

The work was composed at the same time as the oratorio “Elijah” and has stylistic similarities. It is, however, unjustly less well-known today, as it can still inspire with its solemn atmosphere, the wonderful melodies typical of Mendelssohn and dramatic, partly fugal choruses. With a performing time of a good half hour, it can also be combined well with other works by Mendelssohn for choir and orchestra, such as the “Lobgesang” op. 52 and the 42nd psalm “Wie der Hirsch schreit” op. 42.