Which composer wrote the biblical oratorio Elijah?

Which composer wrote the biblical oratorio Elijah?

• A. Handel
• B. Bach
• C. Mendelssohn
• D. Brahms

Answer: (C)

Elijah is an oratorio composed by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy in the mid-19th century, written to dramatize the biblical story of the prophet Elijah. Mendelssohn crafted it for chorus, soloists, and orchestra, and it became one of his best-known sacred works, celebrated for its sweeping melodies, dramatic intensity, and memorable choral numbers. While other composers on the list are famous for biblical or sacred music—Handel for works like Messiah—Elijah is Mendelssohn’s distinctive contribution. Bach is renowned for cantatas and passions, not Elijah, and Brahms is known for the German Requiem rather than this oratorio. So, the composer of Elijah is Mendelssohn.

Elijah is an oratorio composed by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy in the mid-19th century, written to dramatize the biblical story of the prophet Elijah. Mendelssohn crafted it for chorus, soloists, and orchestra, and it became one of his best-known sacred works, celebrated for its sweeping melodies, dramatic intensity, and memorable choral numbers. While other composers on the list are famous for biblical or sacred music—Handel for works like Messiah—Elijah is Mendelssohn’s distinctive contribution. Bach is renowned for cantatas and passions, not Elijah, and Brahms is known for the German Requiem rather than this oratorio. So, the composer of Elijah is Mendelssohn.