Composer

:

Leos Janácek

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Cantata

Publication Date

:

1958

First Performance

:

Feb 5, 1917

Average_duration

:

19:57

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

"Vecné Evangelium" (Eternal Gospel) is a choral work composed by Czech composer Leos Janácek. The piece was composed in 1914 and premiered in Brno, Czech Republic on December 5, 1923. The work is divided into three movements and is approximately 25 minutes in length. The first movement, "The Birth of Christ," begins with a soft and mysterious introduction, which gradually builds in intensity as the choir enters. The music is characterized by its use of dissonance and complex harmonies, which create a sense of tension and unease. The choir sings in a mixture of Czech and Church Slavonic, with the text taken from the Gospel of St. Luke. The movement ends with a triumphant climax, as the choir proclaims the birth of Christ. The second movement, "The Sermon on the Mount," is a setting of Christ's famous sermon from the Gospel of St. Matthew. The music is more contemplative and introspective than the first movement, with a slower tempo and more sustained harmonies. The choir sings in Czech, with the text translated from the original Greek. The movement ends with a quiet and peaceful coda, as the choir reflects on the message of Christ's sermon. The final movement, "The Last Judgment," is the most dramatic and intense of the three. The music is characterized by its use of driving rhythms and powerful harmonies, which create a sense of urgency and impending doom. The choir sings in Church Slavonic, with the text taken from the Book of Revelation. The movement ends with a massive climax, as the choir proclaims the final judgment of God. Overall, "Vecné Evangelium" is a powerful and deeply spiritual work, which reflects Janácek's intense religious faith. The music is characterized by its use of complex harmonies, dissonance, and driving rhythms, which create a sense of tension and urgency. The choir sings in a mixture of Czech and Church Slavonic, with the text taken from the Gospels and the Book of Revelation. The work is a testament to Janácek's skill as a composer and his deep understanding of the human spirit.

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