Composer

:

Max Reger

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Psalm

Compose Date

:

Aug 1907

Average_duration

:

2:07

"Meine Seele ist still zu Gott" (My soul is still with God) is a sacred song composed by Max Reger in 1901. It is the second of his Opus 105, which consists of three sacred songs for voice and organ. The premiere of the work took place on 17 November 1901 in Munich, with the composer himself at the organ and the tenor Max von Schillings as the soloist. The song is divided into three movements, with the first and third being instrumental and the second being a vocal solo. The first movement is marked "Andante sostenuto" and features a slow, mournful melody played by the organ. The second movement is marked "Adagio" and features a solo voice singing a text based on Psalm 62:2-3. The melody is simple and plaintive, with the organ providing a gentle accompaniment. The third movement is marked "Andante sostenuto" and is a reprise of the first movement, with the addition of a short coda. Reger's setting of the text is characterized by its simplicity and directness. The melody is largely syllabic, with each syllable of the text receiving its own note. The harmonies are mostly diatonic, with occasional chromatic inflections to add color and interest. The organ accompaniment is spare and supportive, providing a gentle harmonic framework for the vocal line. Overall, "Meine Seele ist still zu Gott" is a beautiful and deeply spiritual work that showcases Reger's skill as a composer of sacred music. Its simplicity and directness make it accessible to a wide range of listeners, while its emotional depth and beauty make it a favorite of performers and audiences alike.

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