Composer

:

Johann Sebastian Bach

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Chorale Prelude

Compose Date

:

before 1710

Publication Date

:

1985

Average_duration

:

2:07

"Ehre sei dir, Christe, der du leidest Not" (Glory be to you, Christ, who suffers in distress) is a sacred vocal work composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. The exact date of composition is unknown, but it is believed to have been written during his tenure as the cantor of the Thomaskirche in Leipzig, Germany, between 1723 and 1750. The work is classified as a motet and is cataloged as BWV 1097. The piece is written for four-part choir and is divided into two movements. The first movement is a chorale setting of the hymn "Ehre sei dir, Christe, der du leidest Not," which translates to "Glory be to you, Christ, who suffers in distress." The text of the hymn is attributed to Johann Franck and was first published in 1653. Bach's setting of the chorale is characterized by its simple, yet elegant harmonies and its use of imitative counterpoint. The second movement is a recitative and aria for solo voice. The text of the recitative is taken from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 26, verses 36-46, which describes Jesus' agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. The aria that follows is a prayer for strength and comfort in times of trial. The music is characterized by its expressive melodic lines and its use of chromatic harmonies to convey the emotional intensity of the text. Overall, "Ehre sei dir, Christe, der du leidest Not" is a beautiful and poignant work that reflects Bach's deep faith and his mastery of vocal composition. Its simple yet powerful melodies and harmonies continue to inspire and move listeners today.

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