Marie Henriette Reinhold, Patrick Grahl, Manuel Winckhler, Benjamin Hartmann, Maulbronner Kammerchor & Hannoversche Hofkapelle

Since 2018, the Maulbronner Kammerchor under Benjamin Hartmann's direction has performed all of Felix Mendelssohn's choral-symphonic sacred works together with changing internationally renowned soloists and historically informed accompaniment by the Hannoversche Hofkapelle. This seven-part Mendelssohn cycle in Maulbronn concludes this year with the oratorio Paulus.

Mendelssohn remained long under the impression of his groundbreaking revival of Bach's St. Matthew Passion (1829) before undertaking in 1832 to create an oratorio of similar structure. The connections to this great model become evident in the chorales and complex fugues; at the same time, Mendelssohn shapes the composition through his deliberate use of instrumentation in the spirit of his era. Paulus is therefore regarded as a bridge work between Baroque tradition and Romantic renewal.

Theologically, the work remains relevant to this day: the transformation of the Christian persecutor Saul into the Apostle Paul becomes a psychological portrait, with the conversion scene forming the central climax. The plea for universality and humanity - God as the "loving father of all people" - gives the oratorio a relevance that extends far beyond its historical subject matter.

The solo parts are performed by Marie Henriette Reinhold (mezzo-soprano, soprano and alto parts), Patrick Grahl (tenor), and Manuel Winckhler (bass).