Composer

:

Richard Wagner

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1843

Average_duration

:

18:20

Das Liebesmahl der Apostel, WWV 69, is a choral work composed by Richard Wagner in 1843. It was premiered on August 6, 1843, in the Dresden Frauenkirche, as part of the celebrations for the silver wedding anniversary of King Friedrich August II and Queen Maria Carolina of Saxony. The work is divided into two movements. The first movement is a choral prelude, which sets the scene for the second movement, a choral cantata. The prelude begins with a solemn and majestic introduction, which is followed by a fugue based on the theme of the hymn "Veni Creator Spiritus". The cantata, which is the main part of the work, is a setting of a text by Wagner himself, which tells the story of the Last Supper and the love of the apostles for Jesus. The music of Das Liebesmahl der Apostel is characterized by its grandeur and solemnity. The choral writing is rich and complex, with dense harmonies and intricate counterpoint. The orchestration is also elaborate, with a large orchestra including brass, percussion, and organ. The work is notable for its use of antiphonal effects, with the choir divided into two groups that sing back and forth to each other. Overall, Das Liebesmahl der Apostel is a powerful and impressive work that showcases Wagner's skill as a composer of choral music. It is a testament to his ability to create music that is both grand and deeply emotional, and it remains a popular piece in the choral repertoire to this day.

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