to Calvary, which is divided into six
separate numbers, yet so connected as to make a single musical
series,--the crucifixion, Mary at the foot of the cross, the dying
thieves, the death of Jesus, and the confession of his divinity by the
centurion. It opens with the story of the condemnation of the Man of
Sorrows by Pilate, told by the bass Narrator, the words of Jesus himself,
however, being used invariably in the first person, and sung by the
baritone voice, as when he says, "If my Deeds have been evil,"
immediately following the bass recitative. After another monologue by the
Narrator, ensues the march to the cross,--an instrumental number which is
brilliant in its color effects and somewhat barbaric in tone. Without any
break, the sopranos enter with the words, "Forth the Royal Banners go,"
set to a melody from the Roman Catholic liturgy; after which the march is
resumed. The bass Narrator tells the story of the women who followed
lamenting, interrupted by a semi-chorus of sopranos singing the lament,
and by the words of Jesus, "Ye Daughters of Israel, weep not for me."
Again the march is heard, and the sopranos resume ("Forth the Royal
Banners go"). The tenor Narrator recites the preparation for the
crucifixion, accompanied by very descriptive music, and followed by a
stormy chorus of the People ("Ha! thou that didst declare"), and the
mocking cries of the priests ("Can he now save himself?"), sung by a male
chorus. In a pathetic monologue Jesus appeals for their pardon, which
leads to an elaborate concerted number for chorus or quartet, called "The
Reproaches." A conversation ensues between Jesus and Mary, followed by
the quartet, "Beside the Cross remaining," in canon form, preluding the
chorale, "While my Watch I am keeping," at first sung by Mary, and then
taken up by the full chorus, accompanied by organ, trombones, and
trumpets. The next scene is that between Jesus and the two Thieves, which
also leads to a chorale ("Lord Jesus, thou to all bringest Light and
Salvation"). This number contains the last touch of brightness in the
first part. Immediately the bass Narrator announces the approach of the
awful tragedy. The gathering darkness is pictured by a vivid passage for
strings and clarinet, succeeded by the agonizing cries of the Saviour.
The bass Narrator declares the consummation of the tragedy, and then with
the tenor Narrator describes the throes of Nature ("And then the Air was
filled with a Murmur unwon