mournful
journey to Bethany, the arrival among the kindred and friends, who are
trying to comfort the bereaved sisters, and closes at the still unopened
grave. It includes a duet between tenor and baritone, the former a
Disciple, the latter Jesus, whose music is invariably sung by the
baritone voice; a solo for alto ("Weep ye not for the Dead"), with a
sombre orchestral prelude, and accompanied by a chorus in its close; a
dialogue between Martha and Jesus ("Lord, if thou hadst been here"); a
short but very beautiful chorus ("Behold how he loved him!"); the
baritone solo, "Said I not unto thee;" and a final chorus of great power
("The Grave cannot praise thee").

The last scene of the first part, "The Way to Jerusalem," is very
brilliant throughout, and is in cheerful contrast with the general
sombreness of the preceding numbers. It opens with a brief dialogue
between Jesus and a Disciple ("Master, get thee out, and depart hence"),
which leads to a charming three-part chorus for children's voices
("Hosanna to the Son of David"), with a prominent harp part in the
accompaniment, and worked up to a fine climax. A brilliant soprano solo
("Tell ye the Daughter of Zion") intervenes, followed by a short dialogue
between Jesus and a Pharisee, which leads to the vigorous chorus of the
Disciples, "Blessed be the Kingdom." After another baritone solo ("If
thou hadst known, O Jerusalem") the children's hosanna is repeated,--this
time with the power of the full chorus; and the first part comes to a
close.

The first part opens with a prelude of a few bars; but the second begins
with a long overture, very effectively written, and intended, as the
composer himself says, to indicate the angry feelings and dissensions
caused by the Lord's presence in Jerusalem. At its close the baritone, in
one of the most forcible solos assigned to this part ("When the Son of
Man shall come in his Glory"), discourses the parable of the sheep and
goats. The wondering chorus of the People, "Is not this he whom they seek
to kill?" follows, and then ensues a somewhat tedious scene. A Ruler
argues with the People, contemptuously asking if Christ shall come out of
Galilee. The People remain unconvinced, however. Nicodemus then strives
to reason with the Ruler, with the natural effect of making him very
angry. All this leads up to an effective female chorus ("The Hour is
come"). In a very tender and pathetic solo ("Daughters of Jerusalem")
Jesus sings his f