Composer

:

Jan Dismas Zelenka

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

ca. 1730

Average_duration

:

21:57

Lætatus sum, ZWV 90 is a sacred choral work composed by Jan Dismas Zelenka, a Czech composer of the Baroque era. The piece was composed in 1725 and premiered in Dresden, Germany, where Zelenka was employed as a composer and musician in the court of Augustus II the Strong, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland. Lætatus sum is a setting of Psalm 122, which begins with the words "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord." The work is divided into six movements, each of which reflects a different aspect of the psalm text. The first movement is a joyful and exuberant chorus, featuring a lively fugue and a bright, celebratory mood. The second movement is a duet for soprano and alto, which expresses the peace and unity of the people gathered in the house of the Lord. The third movement is a bass aria, which reflects on the beauty and grandeur of the temple. The fourth movement is a trio for soprano, alto, and tenor, which expresses the hope and prayer for peace and prosperity within the walls of the temple. The fifth movement is a bass recitative, which reflects on the role of the temple as a place of worship and refuge. The final movement is a joyful and triumphant chorus, which celebrates the blessings and goodness of the Lord. Lætatus sum is characterized by Zelenka's masterful use of counterpoint, harmony, and orchestration. The work features a rich and varied instrumentation, including strings, oboes, bassoons, trumpets, and timpani, which are used to create a vibrant and colorful sound. Zelenka's use of complex and intricate counterpoint, particularly in the fugues of the first and final movements, demonstrates his skill as a composer and his deep understanding of Baroque musical forms. Overall, Lætatus sum is a powerful and uplifting work, which reflects Zelenka's deep faith and his commitment to creating music that glorifies God. Its joyful and celebratory mood, combined with its rich and complex musical language, make it a masterpiece of the Baroque era and a testament to Zelenka's genius as a composer.

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