Instrumentation: Flute (2), Oboe (2), Clarinet (in B) (2), Bassoon (2), Trumpet (2), Horn (4), Alto trombone, Tenor trombone (in B-flat), Bass trombone, Ophicleide, Timpani

Immediately after completing “St. Paul” in 1836, Mendelssohn mulled over the idea of composing a further oratorio. However a whole decade elapsed before the composition of “Elijah” which takes as its theme the story of the Biblical prophet from the 1st Book of Kings. When he received the invitation to write a major work fo...