Composer

:

Dietrich Buxtehude

Genre

:

Vocal

Average_duration

:

4:25

Dietrich Buxtehude's 'Gestreuet mit Blumen' (Scattered with Flowers) is a sacred vocal work composed for the funeral of a prominent citizen of Lübeck, Germany. The piece is scored for five voices (SSATB) and basso continuo, and is believed to have been composed in the late 1670s or early 1680s. The work is divided into six movements, each of which is based on a different biblical text. The first movement, 'Gestreuet mit Blumen', sets a text from the Book of Wisdom and features a lively, dance-like rhythm. The second movement, 'Ich bin die Auferstehung', sets a text from the Gospel of John and is more contemplative in character. The third movement, 'Ich weiß, dass mein Erlöser lebt', sets a text from the Book of Job and features a virtuosic soprano solo. The fourth movement, 'Ich habe Lust abzuscheiden', sets a text from the Epistle to the Philippians and is characterized by its joyful, celebratory tone. The fifth movement, 'Herr, wenn ich nur dich habe', sets a text from the Psalms and is a prayer for divine protection and guidance. The final movement, 'Selig sind die Toten', sets a text from the Book of Revelation and is a triumphant affirmation of the hope of eternal life. Overall, 'Gestreuet mit Blumen' is a masterful example of Buxtehude's skill in setting sacred texts to music. The work features a wide range of musical styles and textures, from lively dance rhythms to virtuosic solo passages to rich choral harmonies. The piece is also notable for its use of word painting, with the music often reflecting the meaning of the text in subtle and evocative ways.

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