Composer

:

Ludwig van Beethoven

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1817

Average_duration

:

4:00

'O sanctissima, WoO 157/4' is a choral work composed by Ludwig van Beethoven. The exact date of composition is unknown, but it is believed to have been written in the early 1800s. The piece was first performed in Vienna, Austria, and was later published in 1825. The work consists of a single movement and is written for four-part choir and piano accompaniment. The text is a Latin hymn to the Virgin Mary, and the music is characterized by its simple, yet powerful melody and harmonies. The piece begins with a gentle piano introduction, which sets the mood for the choral entrance. The choir enters with a unison melody, which is then harmonized in four parts. The music gradually builds in intensity, with the choir singing in a more powerful and expressive manner. The middle section of the piece features a solo soprano voice, which sings a more ornate melody over a simple piano accompaniment. The choir then returns with a restatement of the opening melody, which is again harmonized in four parts. The final section of the piece features a coda, in which the choir sings a series of descending phrases, which gradually fade away to a quiet conclusion. Overall, 'O sanctissima, WoO 157/4' is a beautiful and moving choral work, which showcases Beethoven's skill in writing simple yet powerful melodies and harmonies. Its use of a Latin hymn text and its focus on the Virgin Mary make it a popular choice for religious services and concerts.

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