Composer

:

Nicolaus Bruhns

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

7:14

"Die Zeit Meines Abschieds Ist Vorhanden" is a sacred vocal work composed by Nicolaus Bruhns, a German Baroque composer and organist. The piece was composed in the mid-17th century and is believed to have been premiered in the St. Mary's Church in Lübeck, where Bruhns served as the organist. The work is a cantata for solo bass voice, accompanied by a basso continuo consisting of a bass viol and organ. It is divided into three movements, each of which is based on a biblical text. The first movement is a setting of Luke 2:29-32, in which the aged Simeon proclaims that he is ready to depart this life now that he has seen the infant Jesus. The second movement is a setting of Psalm 39:5-7, in which the psalmist reflects on the fleeting nature of human life. The final movement is a setting of 2 Timothy 4:6-8, in which the apostle Paul reflects on his own impending death and his hope for eternal life. The work is characterized by its expressive and introspective nature, as well as its use of chromaticism and dissonance to convey the text's themes of mortality and the transience of life. The bass voice is given a prominent role, with the soloist often singing long, lyrical lines that are supported by the basso continuo. The work also features several moments of virtuosic vocal writing, particularly in the final movement, which includes a number of melismatic passages. Overall, "Die Zeit Meines Abschieds Ist Vorhanden" is a poignant and deeply affecting work that reflects Bruhns' skill as a composer and his ability to convey complex emotions through music.

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