Composer

:

Dietrich Buxtehude

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

12:46

"An Filius non est Dei" is a sacred vocal work composed by Dietrich Buxtehude, a Danish-German composer and organist of the Baroque era. The piece is scored for five voices (SSATB) and basso continuo, and is based on a Latin text from the Gospel of John, which translates to "If the Son of God is not come, then there is no salvation for us." The composition is believed to have been written in the late 1660s or early 1670s, during Buxtehude's tenure as organist at the Marienkirche in Lübeck, Germany. It is one of his earliest surviving vocal works, and showcases his skill in writing for multiple voices and creating complex harmonies. "An Filius non est Dei" is divided into three movements. The first movement is a lively and rhythmic fugue, with the voices entering one by one in imitation of each other. The second movement is a slower and more contemplative aria, featuring a solo soprano accompanied by the continuo. The final movement is a joyful and celebratory fugue, with the voices weaving in and out of each other in a complex and intricate pattern. One of the most notable characteristics of Buxtehude's music is his use of chromaticism, which is evident in "An Filius non est Dei." He also employs a variety of textures and vocal techniques, such as imitative counterpoint, homophonic writing, and melismatic passages. The premiere of "An Filius non est Dei" is unknown, but it is likely that it was performed during one of Buxtehude's regular Sunday concerts at the Marienkirche. The piece has since become a staple of the Baroque choral repertoire, and is admired for its intricate harmonies, expressive melodies, and powerful message of salvation.

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