The Light of Life, Op.29 (Elgar, Edward)

Movements/SectionsMov'ts/Sec's 16 movements
Composition Year 1896-03
Genre Categories Sacred oratorios; Oratorios; Religious works; For 4 voices, mixed chorus, orchestra; For voices and chorus with orchestra; Scores featuring the voice; Scores featuring the soprano voice; Scores featuring the alto voice; Scores featuring the tenor voice; Scores featuring the baritone voice; Scores featuring mixed chorus; Scores featuring the orchestra; English language; For wind band (arr); For orchestra without strings (arr); Scores featuring wind band (arr); For organ (arr); For 1 player (arr); Scores featuring the organ (arr); For piano (arr); Scores featuring the piano (arr); For mixed chorus, organ (arr); Scores featuring mixed chorus (arr); For chorus with keyboard (arr)

Contents

Performances

Sheet Music

Full Scores

Complete

 Complete Score
#191237 - 19.26MB, 214 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 2608×⇩ - Massenetique

PDF scanned by US-CHH
Massenetique (2012/3/20)

Publisher. Info. London: Novello & Co., 1908. Plate 12015.
Copyright
Public Domain [tag/del]
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Meditation (Orchestra) (No.1)

 Complete Score
#333159 - 1.78MB, 15 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 235×⇩ - Afp0815

PDF scanned by US-R
Afp0815 (2014/7/8)

Publisher. Info. London: Novello & Company, 1903. Plate 11682.
Copyright
Public Domain [tag/del]
Misc. Notes This file is part of the Sibley Mirroring Project.
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 Complete Score
#689822 - 6.90MB, 15 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 31×⇩ - M.kowalski49

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M.kowalski49 (2021/4/8)

Publisher. Info. London: Novello & Company, 1903. Plate 11682.
Reprinted New York: E.F. Kalmus, n.d.(1933–70). Catalog A5223.
Copyright
Public Domain [tag/del]
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Parts

Meditation (Orchestra) (No.1)

 Flute 1/2
#578708 - 0.80MB, 2 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 22×⇩ - P0mbal

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P0mbal (2019/6/24)

⇒ 13 more: Oboe 1/2 • Clarinet 1/2 (B♭) • Bassoon 1/2, Contrabassoon • Horn 1/2 (F), 3/4 (B♭ & E) • Trumpet 1/2 (F) • Trombone 1/2, Bass Trombone, Tuba • Timpani • Organ • Harp • Violins I • Violins II • Violas • Cellos/Basses

 Oboe 1/2
#578709 - 0.63MB, 2 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 16×⇩ - P0mbal

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 Clarinet 1/2 (B♭)
#578710 - 1.10MB, 3 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 15×⇩ - P0mbal

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 Bassoon 1/2, Contrabassoon
#578711 - 1.08MB, 3 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 21×⇩ - P0mbal

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 Horn 1/2 (F), 3/4 (B♭ & E)
#578712 - 1.40MB, 4 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 19×⇩ - P0mbal

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P0mbal (2019/6/24)

 Trumpet 1/2 (F)
#578713 - 0.33MB, 1 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 16×⇩ - P0mbal

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P0mbal (2019/6/24)

 Trombone 1/2, Bass Trombone, Tuba
#578714 - 1.34MB, 4 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 18×⇩ - P0mbal

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P0mbal (2019/6/24)

 Timpani
#578715 - 0.37MB, 1 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 16×⇩ - P0mbal

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P0mbal (2019/6/24)

 Organ
#578717 - 0.34MB, 1 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 15×⇩ - P0mbal

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P0mbal (2019/6/24)

 Harp
#578716 - 0.99MB, 3 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 14×⇩ - P0mbal

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P0mbal (2019/6/24)

 Violins I
#578718 - 0.68MB, 2 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 23×⇩ - P0mbal

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P0mbal (2019/6/24)

 Violins II
#578719 - 0.66MB, 2 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 16×⇩ - P0mbal

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P0mbal (2019/6/24)

 Violas
#578720 - 0.75MB, 2 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 17×⇩ - P0mbal

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P0mbal (2019/6/24)

 Cellos/Basses
#578721 - 1.00MB, 3 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 15×⇩ - P0mbal

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P0mbal (2019/6/24)

Publisher. Info. London: Novello, Ewer & Co., 1896. Plate 10718.
Copyright
Public Domain [tag/del/mrg]
Misc. Notes Colour scan
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 Flute 1/2
#689823 - 0.28MB, 2 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 19×⇩ - M.kowalski49

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M.kowalski49 (2021/4/8)

⇒ 16 more: Oboe 1/2 • Clarinet 1/2 (B♭) • Bassoon 1/2 • Contrabassoon • Horn 1/2 (F), 3/4 (B♭) • Trumpet 1/2 (F) • Trombone 1/2 • Trombone 3 • Tuba • Timpani • Organ • Harp • Violins I • Violins II • Violas • Cellos/Basses

 Oboe 1/2
#689824 - 0.23MB, 2 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 13×⇩ - M.kowalski49

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M.kowalski49 (2021/4/8)

 Clarinet 1/2 (B♭)
#689825 - 0.30MB, 3 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 14×⇩ - M.kowalski49

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M.kowalski49 (2021/4/8)

 Bassoon 1/2
#689826 - 0.26MB, 2 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 15×⇩ - M.kowalski49

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M.kowalski49 (2021/4/8)

 Contrabassoon
#689827 - 0.08MB, 1 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 13×⇩ - M.kowalski49

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M.kowalski49 (2021/4/8)

 Horn 1/2 (F), 3/4 (B♭)
#689828 - 0.49MB, 4 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 14×⇩ - M.kowalski49

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M.kowalski49 (2021/4/8)

 Trumpet 1/2 (F)
#689829 - 0.12MB, 1 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 17×⇩ - M.kowalski49

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M.kowalski49 (2021/4/8)

 Trombone 1/2
#689830 - 0.19MB, 2 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 16×⇩ - M.kowalski49

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M.kowalski49 (2021/4/8)

 Trombone 3
#689831 - 0.09MB, 1 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 14×⇩ - M.kowalski49

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M.kowalski49 (2021/4/8)

 Tuba
#689832 - 0.08MB, 1 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 14×⇩ - M.kowalski49

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M.kowalski49 (2021/4/8)

 Timpani
#689833 - 0.08MB, 1 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 16×⇩ - M.kowalski49

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M.kowalski49 (2021/4/8)

 Organ
#689835 - 0.12MB, 1 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 12×⇩ - M.kowalski49

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M.kowalski49 (2021/4/8)

 Harp
#689834 - 0.32MB, 3 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 13×⇩ - M.kowalski49

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M.kowalski49 (2021/4/8)

 Violins I
#689836 - 0.25MB, 2 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 20×⇩ - M.kowalski49

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M.kowalski49 (2021/4/8)

 Violins II
#689837 - 0.23MB, 2 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 14×⇩ - M.kowalski49

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M.kowalski49 (2021/4/8)

 Violas
#689838 - 0.29MB, 2 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 14×⇩ - M.kowalski49

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M.kowalski49 (2021/4/8)

 Cellos/Basses
#689839 - 0.38MB, 3 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 17×⇩ - M.kowalski49

PDF scanned by Unknown
M.kowalski49 (2021/4/8)

Publisher. Info. London: Novello, Ewer & Co., 1896. Plate 10718.
Reprinted New York: E.F. Kalmus, n.d.(1933–70). Catalog A5223.
Copyright
Public Domain [tag/del/mrg]
Misc. Notes These are a much higher quality scans than user P0mbal's.
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Vocal Scores

 Complete Score
#173433 - 4.55MB, 87 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 1570×⇩ - Timtin

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Timtin (2012/1/24)

 Complete Score
#336879 - 4.97MB, 96 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 484×⇩ - Afp0815

PDF scanned by US-R
Afp0815 (2014/7/30)

Editor First edition
Publisher. Info. London: Novello, 1896. Plate 8246.
Copyright
Public Domain [tag/del/mrg]
Misc. Notes #336879 This file is part of the Sibley Mirroring Project.
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Duet: Doubt not thy Father's care (No.8)

 Complete Score
#600303 - 3.20MB, 4 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 26×⇩ - P0mbal

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P0mbal (2019/12/6)

Publisher. Info. Novello's Octavo Edition of Two-part Songs for Female Voices No.110
London: Novello & Co., Ltd., 1896.
Copyright
Public Domain [tag/del]
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Solo: As a spirit didst Thou pass (No.10)

 Complete Score
#554895 - 2.69MB, 8 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 18×⇩ - P0mbal

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P0mbal (2019/1/1)

Publisher. Info. London: Novello & Co., Ltd., 1896. Plate 15333.
Copyright
Public Domain [tag/del]
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 Complete Score
#956967 - 0.16MB, 6 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - !N/!N/!N - 9×⇩ - Higo Rodrigues

PDF typeset by editor
Higo Rodrigues (2025/2/22)

Editor Higo Rodrigues
Publisher. Info. Higo Rodrigues, 2025.
Copyright
Creative Commons Zero 1.0 [tag/del]
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Chorus: Light of the World, we know Thy praise (No.16)

 Complete Score
#528293 - 1.29MB, 9 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 70×⇩ - Subbasje

PDF scanned by Sebastiaan
Subbasje (2018/6/17)

Publisher. Info. The Musical Times, London: Novello, 1903.
Copyright
Public Domain [tag/del]
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Arrangements and Transcriptions

Meditation (No.1)

For Military Band (Short)

 Condensed Score
#688343 - 1.19MB, 4 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 25×⇩ - P0mbal

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P0mbal (2021/4/3)

 Complete Parts
#688344 - 14.85MB, 39 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 15×⇩ - P0mbal

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Arranger William Short (1877–ca.1931)
Publisher. Info. London: Novello & Co.,Ltd., n.d. Plate 11684.
Copyright
Public Domain [tag/del/mrg]
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 Flutes 1/2 (C), Alto Sax (for Soprano), Horns 1/2, 3/4 (F), Trumpets (B♭)
#730920 - 0.38MB, 9 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - !N/!N/!N - 64×⇩ - P0mbal

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P0mbal (2021/9/11)

Arranger William Short (1877–ca.1931)
Editor John Morrison
Publisher. Info. John Morrison, 2021
Copyright
Public Domain (dedicated) [tag/del]
Misc. Notes Flute, soprano sax, horn and trumpet parts transposed for modern band instruments.
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For Organ (West)

 Complete Score
#569644 - 1.86MB, 5 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 88×⇩ - P0mbal

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P0mbal (2019/4/24)

 Complete Score (b/w, A4)
#803933 - 0.52MB, 5 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 24×⇩ - Albrights

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Albrights (2022/8/3)

Arranger John Ebenezer West (1863-1929)
Editor George Clement Martin (1844-1916)
Publisher. Info. London: Novello & Co., Ltd., 1898. Plate 10721.
Copyright
Public Domain [tag/del/mrg]
Misc. Notes Organ Arrangements edited by George C. Martin, No. 52
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For Piano

 Complete Score
#570744 - 2.02MB, 6 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/V/V - 53×⇩ - P0mbal

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Arranger Composer
Publisher. Info. London: Novello & Company, Limited, 1896. Plate 10831.
Copyright
Public Domain [tag/del]
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Chorus: 'Light out of darkness' (No.6)

For Mixed Chorus and Organ (Chambers)

 Complete Score (CA)
#615512 - 4.48MB, 8 pp. -  0.0/10 2 4 6 8 10 (-) - V/32/38 - P0mbal

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P0mbal (2020/3/25)

Arranger Herbert Arthur Chambers (1867–1967)
Publisher. Info. Novello's Octavo Anthems, No.1209.
London: Novello & Company, Limited, 1936. Plate 16337.
Copyright
Public Domain - Non-PD US, Non-PD EU [tag/del]
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General Information

Work Title The Light of Life
Alternative. Title Lux Christi
Composer Elgar, Edward
Opus/Catalogue NumberOp./Cat. No. Op.29
Internal Reference NumberInternal Ref. No. IEE 40
Key G major
Movements/SectionsMov'ts/Sec's 16 movements:
  1. Meditation (Orchestra)
  2. Chorus (Levites) and Solo (tenor): Seek Him that maketh the seven stars
  3. Recit. (alto) and Chorus (Disciples): As Jesus passed by
  4. Solo (soprano): Be not extreme, O Lord
  5. Solo (baritone): Neither hath this man sinned
  6. Chorus: Light out of darkness
  7. Recit. (alto, baritone): And when He had thus spoken
  8. Chorus or Duet (soprano, alto): Doubt not thy Father's care
  9. Soli (alto, tenor) and Chorus: He went his way therefore
  10. Solo (tenor): As a spirit didst Thou pass before mine eyes
  11. Recit. (alto) and Chorus: They brought him to the Pharisees
  12. Solo (alto): Thou only hast the words of life
  13. Recit. (soprano, alto, tenor) and Chorus: But the Jews did not believe
  14. Solo (soprano) and Chorus of Women: Woe to the shepherds of the flock
  15. (a) Recit. (alto, tenor, baritone): Jesus heard that they had cast him out
    (b) Solo (baritone): I am the Good Shepherd
  16. Chorus: Light of the World, we know Thy praise
Year/Date of CompositionY/D of Comp. 1896-03
First Performance. 1896/09/10 — Worcester Festival ; Edward Elgar (conductor)
First Publication. 1896 – London: Novello
Librettist Edward Capel-Cure (1860–1953) from Biblical text
Language English
Dedication Dr. Charles Swinnerton Heap
Average DurationAvg. Duration 65 minutes
Composer Time PeriodComp. Period Romantic
Piece Style Romantic
Instrumentation soprano, contralto, tenor, baritone, mixed chorus (SATB), orchestra
InstrDetail
2 flutes (2nd also piccolo), 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon
4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba
2 timpani, cymbals, organ, harp, strings
External Links Elgar Society
Retrieved from "http://imslp.org/index.php?title=The_Light_of_Life,_Op.29_(Elgar,_Edward)&oldid=4422750"