Composer

:

Heinrich Schütz

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Publication Date

:

1650

Average_duration

:

5:03

Ich hebe meine Augen auf, SWV 399 (Op. 12/2) is a sacred choral work composed by Heinrich Schütz, a German composer of the Baroque era. The piece was composed in 1620 and premiered in Dresden, Germany. It is a part of Schütz's Psalmen Davids, a collection of sacred choral works based on the Psalms of David. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which is characterized by its own unique musical style and mood. The first movement is a setting of Psalm 121, which begins with the words "Ich hebe meine Augen auf zu den Bergen" (I lift up my eyes to the mountains). The music is characterized by a sense of upward motion, with the voices rising and falling in a series of ascending and descending phrases. The harmonies are rich and complex, with frequent use of suspensions and dissonances to create a sense of tension and release. The second movement is a setting of Psalm 123, which begins with the words "Unsere Augen sehen nach dem Herrn" (Our eyes look to the Lord). The music is more subdued than the first movement, with a slower tempo and a more contemplative mood. The harmonies are simpler, with a greater emphasis on consonance and a more homophonic texture. The third movement is a setting of Psalm 131, which begins with the words "Herr, mein Herz ist nicht hoffärtig" (Lord, my heart is not proud). The music is characterized by a sense of humility and introspection, with a slower tempo and a more restrained mood. The harmonies are again rich and complex, with frequent use of suspensions and dissonances to create a sense of tension and release. Overall, Ich hebe meine Augen auf, SWV 399 (Op. 12/2) is a masterful example of Schütz's skill as a composer of sacred choral music. The piece is characterized by its rich harmonies, complex textures, and expressive use of musical language to convey the spiritual themes of the Psalms.

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