Exodus Kilar

"Exodus," composed by Polish composer Wojciech Kilar between 1979 and 1981, is a piece for choir and orchestra based on the Biblical Book of Exodus story and set to Latin text. Premiering at the Warsaw Autumn festival on September 19, 1981, it remains one of Kilar's most renowned works and has been recorded multiple times. Structured as a single movement lasting about 22 minutes, the piece features a recurring Jewish-themed melody derived from a descending seven-note phrase, repeated eight times in various instrumental combinations. This repetitive structure draws comparisons to Maurice Ravel's "Boléro," which Kilar acknowledged. Reception has been mixed: while composer Krzysztof Penderecki and some critics praise its orchestral creativity and impact, others find it overly cinematic and bombastic, noting its similarity to "Boléro" as both strengths and weaknesses.