Max Bruch's oratorio Arminius, published as his Op. 43, is an elephantine and operatic work on the subject of Arminius -- also called Hermann or Armin -- who led a unified force of Germanic tribes to a decisive victory over three legions of Roman forces in the Battle of the Teutoborg Forest in 9 A.D. This historic event, in which between 15-20,000 Roman soldiers were killed, has long served as a stimulus to the spirit of Germanic patriotism, and just as Bruch began this work -- one of five oratorios that he composed -- ...
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Max Bruch's oratorio Arminius, published as his Op. 43, is an elephantine and operatic work on the subject of Arminius -- also called Hermann or Armin -- who led a unified force of Germanic tribes to a decisive victory over three legions of Roman forces in the Battle of the Teutoborg Forest in 9 A.D. This historic event, in which between 15-20,000 Roman soldiers were killed, has long served as a stimulus to the spirit of Germanic patriotism, and just as Bruch began this work -- one of five oratorios that he composed -- interest in Arminius was at its peak; a giant statue of Arminius in the Teutoborg Forest begun with private funds in 1839 had just been completed, and Germany itself was in a politically unified state such as never known before owing to their successful prosecution of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871. Germany had reason to feel good, and Bruch was providing the party favors by drawing up this massive edifice, scored for three soloists, chorus, orchestra, and organ. It was first heard...
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