Gade dated the cantata „Zion“ op. 49 (named “concert piece” in the first edition) on 16 September 1874; the premiere took place on 30 August 1876 during a festival in Birmingham. In Gade’s understanding “Zion” forms “a kind of trilogy” together with the cantatas „Kalanus“ and “The Crusader“ which centres around the “longing for the true light“. The focus of „Zion“ is the history of the Jewish people where a people has received a promise. This is described in Gade’s words in the following sections: a) Introduction – The Departure from Egypt b) The Captivity in Babylon c) The Return – Prophecy of the New Jerusalem”.