Sacred Music

    With the growth of romanticism less interest was taken in sacred music.  Mendelssohn's is perhaps the best-known today.  His greatest oratorio ‘Elijah' was composed for Birmingham.  It creates a series of pictures of the prophet's life.  'St Paul' and 'The Hymn of Praise' are also quite well known, as are a number of his anthems, such as 'Hear my Prayer'.  

    Berlioz's 'L'enfance du Christ’ is an oratorio, which is quite different from his highly romantic orchestral music.  It is simple and devout, and quite short, and is frequently performed in France, and occasionally in England.