Composer

:

Dietrich Buxtehude

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

19:31

"Eins bitte ich vom Herrn" (One thing I ask of the Lord) 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 24, as it is cataloged in the Buxtehude-Werke-Verzeichnis, a comprehensive catalog of Buxtehude's works. The composition is a solo cantata for bass voice, accompanied by a basso continuo consisting of a bass instrument (such as cello or bassoon) and a keyboard instrument (such as organ or harpsichord). It is believed to have been composed in the late 17th century, during Buxtehude's tenure as the organist at the Marienkirche in Lübeck, Germany. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which is based on a biblical text. The first movement is a recitative, in which the soloist sings the words of Psalm 27:4, "One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life." The second movement is an aria, in which the soloist expresses his desire to "behold the beauty of the Lord" and to "inquire in his temple." The third movement is a chorale, in which the soloist sings the words of a hymn based on Psalm 27:1, "The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?" The piece is characterized by its expressive and lyrical vocal writing, as well as its rich and varied harmonic language. Buxtehude's use of chromaticism and dissonance creates a sense of tension and drama, while his use of suspensions and resolutions creates a sense of resolution and release. The basso continuo provides a solid foundation for the soloist's vocal line, while also adding depth and complexity to the overall texture of the piece. "Eins bitte ich vom Herrn" is considered to be one of Buxtehude's most beautiful and expressive vocal works, and it continues to be performed and admired by musicians and audiences alike.

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