Composer

:

Gottfried August Homilius

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

118:51

Gottfried August Homilius composed his St. John Passion in 1775, and it premiered in Dresden on Good Friday of that year. The work is divided into two parts, with a total of 24 movements. The St. John Passion is a sacred oratorio that tells the story of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, as recounted in the Gospel of John. The text is in German, and it includes both narrative passages and chorales. Homilius's setting of the text is characterized by its expressive melodies, rich harmonies, and dramatic contrasts. The first part of the St. John Passion begins with an instrumental introduction that sets the somber tone for the work. The opening chorus, "Herr, unser Herrscher," is a majestic and powerful setting of the text that establishes the theme of Christ's sovereignty. The following recitatives and arias introduce the characters of the story, including Jesus, Peter, and Pilate. The first part concludes with a chorus that reflects on the events that have taken place, "Ach, Herr, lass dein lieb Engelein." The second part of the St. John Passion begins with a chorus that sets the scene at Golgotha, "O Traurigkeit, o Herzeleid." The following movements recount the crucifixion and death of Jesus, including the famous aria "Es ist vollbracht," which expresses the completion of Christ's mission. The work concludes with a chorale that reflects on the significance of Christ's sacrifice, "Ach Herr, lass dein lieb Engelein." Overall, Homilius's St. John Passion is a powerful and moving work that captures the drama and emotion of the story of Christ's crucifixion. Its expressive melodies and rich harmonies make it a masterpiece of the German Baroque tradition.

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