#BEETHOVEN250 - The Berlin Philharmonic: Lunch Time Digital Concert Hall

Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle

Soloist: Jonathan Kelly

Richard Strauss

Concerto for Oboe and Small Orchestra in D major, o. op. 144

Ludwig van Beethoven

Christus am Ölberge (Christ on the Mount of Olives), Oratorio, op. 85

Christus am Ölberge is the only oratorio by Ludwig van Beethoven. The work was first performed in Vienna on April 5, 1803, a Tuesday during Holy Week, but was not published until 1811. Therefore it carries the relatively high opus number 85 in Beethoven's catalogue of works. Beethoven sent his pupil Ferdinand Ries with the trombone parts to the rehearsing orchestra on the morning of the premiere day, after he had worked them out the night before. Prince Karl Lichnowsky, who was present at the rehearsals, provided the exhausted musicians with sandwiches, cold meat and wine.