Composer

:

Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1676

Average_duration

:

8:41

Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber was a prominent composer of the Baroque era, known for his innovative use of techniques and instruments. One of his most famous works is "Laetatus Sum à 7, C. 9," a sacred choral piece composed in the mid-17th century. "Laetatus Sum à 7, C. 9" was composed in 1673 and premiered in Salzburg, Austria. The piece is divided into six movements, each of which is based on a different verse from Psalm 122. The movements are as follows: 1. Laetatus sum in his quae dicta sunt mihi ("I rejoiced when they said to me") 2. Stantes erant pedes nostri ("Our feet were standing") 3. Jerusalem, quae aedificatur ut civitas ("Jerusalem, built as a city") 4. Quia illuc ascenderunt tribus, tribus Domini ("To which the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord") 5. Testimonium in Israel ("There the thrones for judgment were set") 6. Propter fratres meos et proximos meos ("For the sake of my relatives and friends") The piece is scored for seven voices (SSAATTB) and continuo, with the continuo part played by a bass instrument such as a cello or bassoon. Biber's use of seven voices was unusual for the time, as most choral works of the Baroque era were written for four or five voices. One of the most striking characteristics of "Laetatus Sum à 7, C. 9" is Biber's use of dissonance and chromaticism. The piece is full of unexpected harmonies and sudden shifts in tonality, which create a sense of tension and drama. Biber also employs a variety of vocal techniques, such as melismatic passages and intricate counterpoint, to highlight the text of the psalm. Overall, "Laetatus Sum à 7, C. 9" is a masterful example of Baroque choral music, showcasing Biber's skill as a composer and his willingness to experiment with new techniques and forms.

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