Die Flucht nach Ägypten (The Flight into Egypt), "Aus dem leben Christi", Op. 63, Heft 1, No. 1

Otto Valdemar Malling (1 June 1848 – 5 October 1915) was a Danish composer, from 1900 the cathedral organist in Copenhagen and from 1889 professor, then from 1899 Director of the Royal Danish Academy of Music, Copenhagen. He was born in Copenhagen, and became a pupil of Niels Gade and Johan Peter Emilius Hartmann. in his later career he mainly composed organ works and vocal music, but he also wrote a significant amount of orchestral music, as well a substantial cantata and a symphony in D minor. He was a co-founder and vice-conductor of The Concert Society, Copenhagen (1874), supporting himself as organist at various Copenhagen churches. His scores of organ music brought Malling some reputation abroad, but after his death he was soon forgotten in his native country.

"Aus dem Leben Christi" was published by Wilhelm Hansen in 1897. There are six pieces divide into two volumes, and are dedicated to Alexandre Guilmant.

Malling describes these works as "Mood Pictures," and this is exactly what they are.

The first set of pieces deals with Christmas, and the third set deals with Passiontide and Easter. These pieces from Op. 63 deal with "events" in the life of Christ. Each work paints the scene of the Biblical verses being illuminated.

The first one, "The Flight into Egypt" takes its text from the Gospel of St. Matthew 2: 13-15. Joseph was warned in a dream that Herod sought to kill the baby Jesus. He and Mary fled to Egypt, which was outside the dominion of Herod, with travel being relatively easy along a coastal road known as "the way of the sea."

The work vividly portrays the journey, beginning with some ominous warnings blown upon the horn, and then travels with the Holy Family along the way, bringing them safely to their new, temporary home in Egypt.

I'll be doing all the works in this series, so, hopefully the next one will appear each day.

The score is attached below, as well as photos of Otto Malling, and several depictions of the trip in classic art.