Composer

:

Dietrich Buxtehude

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

5:14

'Herr, wenn ich nur dich hab', BuxWV 38 is a sacred vocal work composed by Dietrich Buxtehude, a Danish-German composer and organist of the Baroque era. The piece is a solo cantata for bass voice, accompanied by a basso continuo consisting of a bass instrument and a keyboard instrument. The composition date of 'Herr, wenn ich nur dich hab' is uncertain, but it is believed to have been composed in the late 1670s or early 1680s. The piece was likely written for performance in the Abendmusiken concerts held at the Marienkirche in Lübeck, where Buxtehude was the organist and music director. The cantata consists of three movements: an aria, a recitative, and a second aria. The text is based on Psalm 73:25-26, which expresses the psalmist's longing for God's presence and guidance in his life. The first movement, an aria, begins with a slow, mournful introduction in the basso continuo. The bass soloist then enters with the text "Herr, wenn ich nur dich hab" ("Lord, if I have only you"), singing a melody that is characterized by long, flowing phrases and frequent melodic leaps. The music is expressive and emotional, reflecting the psalmist's yearning for God's presence. The second movement, a recitative, is more declamatory in style, with the bass soloist singing the text in a speech-like manner. The music is more rhythmically active than the previous movement, with the basso continuo providing a lively accompaniment. The final movement, another aria, is more upbeat and joyful in character. The bass soloist sings the text "Mein Fleisch und Herz erfreut sich sehr" ("My flesh and heart rejoice greatly"), accompanied by a lively, dance-like melody in the basso continuo. The music is characterized by frequent rhythmic and melodic variations, reflecting the exuberance of the psalmist's praise. Overall, 'Herr, wenn ich nur dich hab' is a beautiful and expressive work that showcases Buxtehude's skill as a composer of sacred vocal music. The piece is notable for its emotional depth, expressive melodies, and lively rhythms, making it a beloved work in the Baroque vocal repertoire.

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