Mendelssohn's unfinished 3rd oratorio in the first critical edition. Performance material is available separately for Part 1 and Part 2 of the oratorio.Part 1: "The Nativity", Part 2: "The Passion of Christ"Two independently performable fragments of an unfinished oratorio were published in 1852 - five years after Mendelssohn's death - under the title Christus. He had presumably planned a third part after the two parts "The Nativity" and "The Passion of Christ"."The Nativity" concentrates on a four-part choral movement, which is introduced by two short solo parts.The second fragment, "The Passion of Christ", leads into the middle of the Passion events: It deals with the scene "Jesus before Pilate" in a rapid, dramatic alternation of evangelist recitatives (tenor) and folk choirs. A contemplative choral movement forms the conclusion.
