Devotional Music in the Western Classical Tradition

Ludwig van Beethoven composed the 'Missa Solemnis', a large-scale sacred work, in 1823.

George Frideric Handel composed the oratorio 'Messiah' in 1741, which is based on biblical texts.

Giovanni Battista Pergolesi composed the 'Stabat Mater' in 1736, which is a sequence that reflects on the suffering of Mary at the foot of the cross.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed the 'Requiem' in 1791, in response to the death of his wife.

Franz Schubert composed the 'Ave Maria' in 1825, which is a prayer to the Virgin Mary.

Felix Mendelssohn composed the oratorio 'Elijah' in 1846, which tells the story of the prophet Elijah.

Antonín Dvořák composed the 'Te Deum' in 1890, which is a hymn of praise and thanksgiving.

Joseph Haydn composed the oratorio 'The Creation' in 1798, which depicts the story of creation as told in the Book of Genesis.

Johann Sebastian Bach composed the 'Magnificat' in 1723, which is a canticle that praises Mary's role in salvation history.

Felix Mendelssohn composed the oratorio 'Paulus' in 1836, which tells the story of the apostle Paul.

Franz Schubert composed the 'Salve Regina' in 1816, which is a Marian antiphon that asks for Mary's intercession.

Louis Spohr composed the oratorio 'The Last Judgment' in 1826, which depicts the events of the Last Judgment as described in the Book of Revelation.

Giuseppe Verdi composed the 'Dies Irae' in 1874, which is a sequence that reflects on the Day of Judgment.

Gioachino Rossini composed the oratorio 'Moses in Egypt' in 1818, which tells the story of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt.

Charles Gounod composed the 'Pange Lingua' in 1859, which is a hymn that praises the Eucharist.