Composer

:

Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach

Genre

:

Vocal

Compose Date

:

1757-1758

Publication Date

:

1764

Average_duration

:

5:36

Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach's "Passionslied (Gellert-Lieder No. 23), H. 686/23, Wq. 194/23" is a vocal work composed in 1773. It was premiered in the same year in Hamburg, Germany. The piece is part of a collection of songs known as the Gellert-Lieder, which were composed by Bach to accompany the texts of Christian Fürchtegott Gellert. The "Passionslied" is a three-movement work that features a solo voice accompanied by a keyboard instrument. The first movement is a recitative that sets the scene for the piece, describing the suffering of Christ on the cross. The second movement is an aria that expresses the pain and sorrow of the crucifixion. The final movement is a chorale that offers hope and comfort to those who believe in Christ's sacrifice. The "Passionslied" is characterized by its emotional intensity and expressive melodies. Bach's use of chromaticism and dissonance creates a sense of tension and unease, reflecting the anguish of the text. The vocal line is highly ornamented, with frequent leaps and runs that add to the sense of drama. Overall, the "Passionslied" is a powerful and moving work that captures the essence of the Christian message of redemption through suffering. Its combination of text and music creates a deeply emotional experience for the listener, and it remains a beloved piece in the repertoire of vocal music.

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