Composer

:

Dietrich Buxtehude

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

12:17

Movement_count

:

6

Movement ....

"Ich habe Lust abzuscheiden" (I have a desire to depart) is a sacred vocal work composed by Dietrich Buxtehude, a Danish-German composer and organist of the Baroque era. The piece is also known as BuxWV 47, as it is cataloged in the Buxtehude-Werke-Verzeichnis, a comprehensive catalog of Buxtehude's works. The composition is believed to have been written in the late 17th century, during Buxtehude's tenure as the organist at the Marienkirche in Lübeck, Germany. The exact date of composition is unknown, but it is thought to have been written around 1680-1690. "Ich habe Lust abzuscheiden" is a vocal work for bass soloist, accompanied by a basso continuo consisting of a bass instrument (such as a cello or bassoon) and a keyboard instrument (such as an organ or harpsichord). The piece is divided into three movements: an aria, a recitative, and a final aria. The first aria is marked "Adagio" and is in a minor key. The bass soloist sings of his desire to depart from this world and be with God in heaven. The music is mournful and contemplative, with long, flowing melodic lines and a simple, repetitive bass line in the continuo. The recitative that follows is marked "Andante" and is in a major key. The bass soloist sings of the joys of heaven and the comfort that comes from knowing that death is not the end. The music is more declamatory and speech-like than the previous aria, with a more active bass line in the continuo. The final aria is marked "Allegro" and is in a major key. The bass soloist sings of the happiness and peace that comes from being with God in heaven. The music is joyful and lively, with a more complex and active bass line in the continuo. Overall, "Ich habe Lust abzuscheiden" is a beautiful and poignant work that reflects Buxtehude's deep faith and his mastery of Baroque vocal music. The piece is still performed and recorded today, and is considered one of Buxtehude's most important vocal works.

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