Composer

:

Johann Hermann Schein

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Motet

Publication Date

:

1623

Average_duration

:

5:11

Johann Hermann Schein's "Was betrübst du dich, meine Seele" is a sacred vocal work that was composed in the early 17th century. It is part of Schein's collection of sacred songs called "Israelis Brünlein," which was published in 1623. The work is written for four voices (soprano, alto, tenor, and bass) and is based on a text from Psalm 42. The piece is divided into three movements. The first movement is a chorale setting of the first verse of the psalm. The second movement is a duet for soprano and alto that reflects on the psalmist's longing for God. The third movement is a four-part setting of the final verse of the psalm, which expresses the psalmist's hope and trust in God. The first movement begins with a simple, homophonic setting of the chorale melody. The voices enter one by one, with the soprano taking the lead. The harmonies are mostly diatonic, with occasional chromaticism to add interest. The second verse of the chorale is set in a more elaborate style, with imitative entries and more complex harmonies. The second movement is a duet for soprano and alto. The text reflects on the psalmist's longing for God, and the music is appropriately plaintive and introspective. The voices weave around each other in a gentle, flowing melody, with occasional dissonances to express the emotional content of the text. The third movement is a four-part setting of the final verse of the psalm. The music is more upbeat and optimistic than the previous movements, reflecting the psalmist's hope and trust in God. The voices enter one by one, with the soprano taking the lead again. The harmonies are mostly diatonic, with occasional chromaticism to add interest. Overall, "Was betrübst du dich, meine Seele" is a beautiful example of early Baroque sacred music. The simple, homophonic style of the first movement contrasts nicely with the more complex textures of the second and third movements. The music is expressive and emotional, reflecting the text of the psalm in a sensitive and nuanced way.

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