Composer

:

Max Reger

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

Sep 1914

Average_duration

:

2:54

"Der Mensch lebt und besteht nur eine kleine Zeit" (Man lives and exists only for a short time) is a choral work composed by Max Reger in 1914. It is the first movement of his Op. 138, a set of three motets for mixed choir a cappella. The piece is based on a text from the Book of Job in the Old Testament, which reflects on the fleeting nature of human life and the inevitability of death. The piece begins with a solemn and mournful melody in the lower voices, which sets the tone for the contemplative and introspective nature of the text. The choir then sings the first verse in unison, with a simple and straightforward melody that emphasizes the brevity of life. The second verse is sung by the sopranos, who introduce a new melody that is more lyrical and expressive, reflecting on the transience of human achievements and the futility of worldly pursuits. The third verse is sung by the altos, who sing a melody that is more introspective and meditative, reflecting on the inevitability of death and the uncertainty of what lies beyond. The tenors and basses then join in, singing a harmonized version of the melody, which builds to a climax before subsiding into a quiet and reflective coda. Throughout the piece, Reger employs a variety of choral textures and harmonies, ranging from simple unison to complex polyphony. He also uses a variety of dynamic and expressive markings to convey the emotional content of the text, including crescendos, decrescendos, and expressive markings such as "dolce" and "espressivo." "Der Mensch lebt und besteht nur eine kleine Zeit" premiered in 1914, and has since become one of Reger's most popular choral works. Its contemplative and introspective nature, combined with its beautiful melodies and harmonies, make it a powerful and moving reflection on the fleeting nature of human life.

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