Composer

:

Hans Leo Hassler

Genre

:

Vocal

Compose Date

:

1608

Average_duration

:

3:24

Hans Leo Hassler was a German composer of the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods. He was born in Nuremberg in 1564 and died in Frankfurt in 1612. Hassler was a prolific composer of both sacred and secular music, and his works were highly regarded during his lifetime. One of Hassler's most famous works is his motet "Mit Ernst, o Menschenkinder," which translates to "With seriousness, O children of men." The piece was composed in 1601 and premiered in Nuremberg the same year. It is a setting of a hymn by Johann Rist, a Lutheran pastor and poet. "Mit Ernst, o Menschenkinder" is a four-movement work for four-part choir and basso continuo. The first movement is a solemn and introspective setting of the hymn's first verse. The second movement is a lively and joyful setting of the second verse, with a dance-like rhythm and playful melodic lines. The third movement is a slower and more contemplative setting of the third verse, with a rich and expressive harmonic language. The final movement is a triumphant and exultant setting of the fourth verse, with a powerful and majestic choral sound. The characteristics of "Mit Ernst, o Menschenkinder" reflect Hassler's mastery of the late Renaissance style, with its rich harmonies, expressive melodies, and intricate counterpoint. The piece also shows the influence of the emerging Baroque style, with its use of basso continuo and dramatic contrasts of texture and dynamics. Overall, "Mit Ernst, o Menschenkinder" is a masterpiece of sacred choral music, and it remains a beloved and frequently performed work to this day.

More....