Composer

:

Heinrich Schütz

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Motet

Publication Date

:

1619

Average_duration

:

5:43

Heinrich Schütz's 'Ist nicht Ephraim mein teurer Sohn' is a sacred vocal work that was composed in the early 17th century. The piece is part of Schütz's larger collection of works known as the 'Symphoniae Sacrae', which was published in 1629. The premiere of the work is not known, but it is believed to have been performed in Dresden, where Schütz was the court composer. The piece is divided into two movements, with the first movement being a setting of the biblical text from Jeremiah 31:20, "Is not Ephraim my dear son, the child in whom I delight?" The second movement is a setting of the text from Hosea 11:1, "When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt." The first movement is characterized by its use of polyphony, with the voices weaving in and out of each other to create a rich and complex texture. The music is also marked by its use of dissonance, which adds to the emotional intensity of the piece. The second movement is more homophonic in nature, with the voices singing in unison for much of the piece. The music is more contemplative and introspective, with a sense of longing and nostalgia. Overall, 'Ist nicht Ephraim mein teurer Sohn' is a powerful and moving work that showcases Schütz's mastery of vocal composition. The piece is a testament to his ability to create music that is both technically complex and emotionally resonant, and it remains a beloved work in the canon of sacred music.

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