Composer

:

Johannes Eccard

Genre

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

3:02

"Nun liebe Seel, nun ist es Zeit" is a sacred choral work composed by Johannes Eccard, a German composer of the late Renaissance period. The piece was composed in the early 17th century, and it is believed to have been premiered in 1603. The work is written for four-part choir, and it is divided into three movements. The first movement is a slow and solemn introduction, in which the choir sings the opening words of the text, "Now, dear soul, it is time to depart from this world." The second movement is a lively and joyful section, in which the choir sings of the joys of heaven and the promise of eternal life. The final movement is a return to the solemnity of the opening, as the choir sings a prayer for a peaceful and blessed death. The text of "Nun liebe Seel, nun ist es Zeit" is a German translation of a Latin hymn, "Media vita in morte sumus" (In the midst of life we are in death). The text is a meditation on the transience of life and the inevitability of death, but it also expresses hope and faith in the promise of eternal life. The music of "Nun liebe Seel, nun ist es Zeit" is typical of the late Renaissance period, with its rich harmonies, expressive melodies, and intricate counterpoint. The work is characterized by its use of imitative polyphony, in which the different voices of the choir echo and imitate each other, creating a complex and layered texture. Overall, "Nun liebe Seel, nun ist es Zeit" is a beautiful and moving work of sacred choral music, expressing both the solemnity of death and the hope of eternal life. Its timeless message and exquisite musical craftsmanship have made it a beloved piece of the choral repertoire for centuries.

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