Louis Spohr - The Last Judgment

Louis Spohr was one of the most important composers of the first half of the 19th century where he was mentioned in the same breath as Mozart or Beethoven. An influential musical genius, he is considered to be an important link between the classical and romantic periods.

Louis Spohr's choral work “The Last Judgement” (1826) tells of something that is actually terrifying, but which loses its horror and instead radiates hope and confidence. We are talking about the Apocalypse which forms the basis of the work and also gave it its title (originally: “The Last Things” [on earth]).

By no means does the concert audience solely experience the horror of the Last Judgement and its precursors. On the contrary, all this is given very little space. Instead, consolation and more so the joyful expectation of life after death for people trapped in their transience at the centre of interest. This optimistic attitude is reflected in the impressive depiction of heavenly greatness and power, the redemptive deeds of Christ and the new world of God that awaits us after the Apocalypse.

Most importantly, though, the work is not only to be read in religious terms and has its place in both church and concert hall performances. For it is about giving the individual support and confidence in an uncertain world in which we do not know what to expect.