Composer

:

Max Reger

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

Aug 1907

Average_duration

:

4:37

Movement_count

:

2

Movement ....

Max Reger's 'Sacred Songs (2) for mezzo-soprano or baritone & organ, Op. 105' is a collection of two songs composed in 1909. The premiere of the work took place on 17th October 1909 in Munich, Germany. The two movements of the work are titled 'O Tod, wie bitter bist du' (O Death, how bitter you are) and 'O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden' (O Sacred Head, now wounded). The first movement, 'O Tod, wie bitter bist du', is a setting of a German hymn text by Johann Rist. The mezzo-soprano or baritone soloist sings the text, which reflects on the bitterness of death and the hope of eternal life. The organ accompaniment is somber and mournful, with dissonant harmonies and chromaticism that reflect the text's themes of sorrow and despair. The second movement, 'O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden', is a setting of a German hymn text by Paul Gerhardt. The text reflects on the suffering and death of Jesus Christ on the cross. The mezzo-soprano or baritone soloist sings the text, while the organ accompaniment is rich and full, with lush harmonies and expressive melodies that reflect the text's themes of love and sacrifice. Overall, 'Sacred Songs (2) for mezzo-soprano or baritone & organ, Op. 105' is a powerful and emotional work that showcases Reger's skill as a composer of sacred music. The work's use of chromaticism and dissonance reflects the text's themes of sorrow and despair, while its lush harmonies and expressive melodies reflect the text's themes of love and sacrifice.

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