Composer

:

Max Reger

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

Sep 1914

Average_duration

:

18:45

Movement_count

:

8

Movement ....

Max Reger's 'Sacred Songs (8) for chorus, Op. 138' is a collection of eight choral pieces that were composed in 1915. The premiere of the work took place on November 14, 1915, in Munich, Germany. The eight movements of the work are as follows: 1. "O Tod, wie bitter bist du" (O Death, how bitter you are) 2. "O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden" (O Sacred Head, Now Wounded) 3. "O Traurigkeit, o Herzeleid" (O Sadness, O Heartache) 4. "O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde groß" (O Man, Bewail Thy Great Sin) 5. "O Welt, ich muss dich lassen" (O World, I Must Leave Thee) 6. "O Jesu Christ, mein's Lebens Licht" (O Jesus Christ, Light of My Life) 7. "O Gott, du frommer Gott" (O God, Thou Righteous God) 8. "O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden" (O Sacred Head, Now Wounded) The characteristics of the work are typical of Reger's style, which is characterized by complex harmonies, dense textures, and contrapuntal writing. The choral writing is often divided into multiple parts, creating a rich and full sound. The use of chromaticism and dissonance is also a hallmark of Reger's style, and can be heard throughout the work. Despite the complexity of the music, Reger's 'Sacred Songs' are deeply expressive and emotional. The texts of the pieces are all religious in nature, and Reger's music serves to amplify the spiritual themes of the texts. The work is a testament to Reger's skill as a composer, and his ability to create music that is both technically impressive and emotionally moving.

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