Composer

:

Gottfried August Homilius

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

2:38

'Die Elenden sollen essen' is a sacred cantata composed by Gottfried August Homilius, a German composer and church musician of the late Baroque era. The cantata was composed in 1765 and premiered on the 2nd Sunday after Trinity in the same year at the Frauenkirche in Dresden, where Homilius served as the Kapellmeister. The cantata consists of six movements, including an opening chorus, three arias, a recitative, and a closing chorus. The text is based on Psalm 22, which speaks of the suffering and redemption of the righteous. The cantata begins with a grand and majestic chorus, 'Die Elenden sollen essen', which features a full orchestra and choir. The music is characterized by its rich harmonies, bold rhythms, and powerful choral writing. The first aria, 'Gott hat alles wohl gemacht', is a solo for bass, accompanied by strings and continuo. The music is serene and contemplative, with a gentle melody and flowing accompaniment. The second aria, 'Mein Herz ist voller Trost und Freude', is a solo for alto, accompanied by oboe and continuo. The music is joyful and uplifting, with a lively melody and playful rhythms. The recitative, 'Ach, dass ich hören sollte', is a solo for tenor, accompanied by continuo. The music is somber and reflective, with a simple melody and sparse accompaniment. The final aria, 'Ich will dich preisen ewiglich', is a solo for soprano, accompanied by flute and continuo. The music is exuberant and celebratory, with a lively melody and virtuosic vocal writing. The cantata concludes with a reprise of the opening chorus, 'Die Elenden sollen essen', which brings the work to a triumphant close. Overall, 'Die Elenden sollen essen' is a powerful and expressive work, showcasing Homilius' skill as a composer and his deep understanding of sacred music.

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