Following immediately on the heels of the composer's somewhat disappointing oratorio on the subject of St. Elisabeth, Franz Liszt's grand oratorio Christus is an altogether more successful effort. Composed to a text drawn from biblical and liturgical sources by the composer himself, Christus is a massive, three-part celebration of the life and works of Christ scored for an ensemble requiring soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, and bass soloists, chorus, organ, and full orchestra.

The three sections of the oratorio correspond to the Christmas story, the life and miracles of Christ, and the Passion. Following a brief introduction, the work begins with a musical depiction of the angels heralding the birth of Christ. This is followed by the liturgical hymn Stabat mater speciosa, and then two purely instrumental numbers, including a delightful tutti depiction of the Magi on their way to Bethlehem. The second part begins with three choral sections depicting Jesus' times in Jerusalem, and, following a stormy orchestral interlude that portrays the miracle of Jesus walking on water, ends with rousing cries of "Hosanna." The third part begins with a musical dialogue between Christ—represented, as tradition demands, by a baritone—and the orchestra. A Stabat mater and an Easter hymn for children's chorus pave the way for a massive Resurrection scene, which Liszt vividly paints with a colorful orchestral palette.

Like most of Liszt's choral music, Christus has not been regularly performed by professional ensembles, and its demands are far beyond the capabilities of all but the most extraordinary amateur groups. Nevertheless, Christus contains some of the finest moments anywhere in the music of Liszt, and devotees of the composer's work continually hope for a revival of this forgotten treasure.



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