Composer

:

Heinrich Scheidemann

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Chorale Prelude

Compose Date

:

before 1664

Average_duration

:

1:48

Heinrich Scheidemann was a German composer and organist who lived from 1595 to 1663. He was a prominent figure in the North German organ school, which was a group of composers and performers who were active in the 17th century in the area around Hamburg. Scheidemann was one of the most important composers of this school, and his music is known for its virtuosity and expressive power. One of Scheidemann's most famous works is his chorale prelude "Nun bitten wir den Heiligen Geist," which translates to "Now we ask the Holy Spirit." This piece is based on a Lutheran hymn that was commonly sung during Pentecost, which is a Christian holiday that celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. Scheidemann's chorale prelude is composed for the organ and consists of four movements. The first movement is a prelude that sets the mood for the piece and introduces the main theme. The second movement is a fugue, which is a type of composition in which a musical theme is introduced and then repeated and developed by different voices. The third movement is a trio, which is a composition for three voices or instruments. The final movement is a chorale, which is a setting of the hymn tune itself. The characteristics of Scheidemann's "Nun bitten wir den Heiligen Geist" are typical of the North German organ school. The piece is highly virtuosic, with complex counterpoint and rapid figuration. It also features a wide range of tonal colors, with the organist using different stops and combinations of stops to create different timbres. The piece is also highly expressive, with the music reflecting the text of the hymn and the emotions associated with the Pentecost holiday. Scheidemann's "Nun bitten wir den Heiligen Geist" was likely composed in the early to mid-17th century, although the exact date is unknown. It was likely premiered in a church or other religious setting, where it would have been performed during a Pentecost service. Today, the piece is still performed and recorded by organists around the world, and it remains a testament to Scheidemann's skill as a composer and his contribution to the North German organ school.

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