Composer

:

Heinrich Schütz

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Motet

Publication Date

:

1648

Average_duration

:

103:55

Movement_count

:

29

Movement ....

Heinrich Schütz's 'Geistliche Chormusik' is a collection of 29 motets for voices and continuo, composed in 1648. The work was premiered in Dresden, where Schütz was the court composer for the Elector of Saxony. The motets are divided into three sections, each with a different focus. The first section consists of motets for the main church festivals, such as Christmas and Easter. The second section is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and the third section is focused on the Passion of Christ. Schütz's 'Geistliche Chormusik' is characterized by its use of polyphony, which allows for multiple voices to sing different melodies simultaneously. The motets are also notable for their use of chromaticism, which adds a sense of tension and drama to the music. One of the most famous motets in the collection is 'Selig sind die Toten', which is often performed at funerals. The motet is a setting of the Beatitudes from the Book of Revelation, and is notable for its use of dissonance and chromaticism to convey the idea of mourning and grief. Overall, Schütz's 'Geistliche Chormusik' is a masterful collection of motets that showcases his skill as a composer and his deep understanding of sacred music. The work remains an important part of the choral repertoire to this day.

More....