It is certainly not just Jacob’s Ladder, the burning bush, the fiery Elijah or Ezekiel’s chariot that have made the Tanakh, the Old Testament, a treasure trove for creative minds of all persuasions. At every turn in this voluminous book, we learn of dramatic adventures, exciting encounters between earthly and higher beings, passionate battle scenes and inexplicable miracles – which, not least since the “invention” of the oratorio, have been literally crying out for musical interpretation.

Bernardo Pasquini, the highly praised musician in the service of the Borghese family of Rome, dedicated one of his nearly twenty oratorios to an episode from Exodus. During the festival of joy, held to thank the God of Israel for the liberation from Egyptian slavery, the various stages of the journey were being commemorated. Suddenly, the clang of weapons were heard, and the enemy troops of Amalek advanced. Joshua led his people into battle, as Moses tried to influence the outcome of the battle with his prayers. The more fervently he prayed, the more favourable Israel’s fortunes. But as soon as he faltered, the page was turned. In the end, however, victory is assured, celebrated by a magnificent, resounding final chorus.