Composer

:

Johann Hermann Schein

Genre

:

Choral

Publication Date

:

1615

Average_duration

:

13:21

Johann Hermann Schein was a German composer and musician of the early Baroque era. He was born in Grünhain, Saxony, in 1586 and died in Leipzig in 1630. Schein was a prolific composer, and his works include sacred and secular vocal music, instrumental music, and music for the theater. One of Schein's most famous works is his motet "Gott, sei mir gnädig" (God, be merciful to me), which was composed in 1623. The motet is written for five voices (SSATB) and is based on Psalm 51, which is a penitential psalm. The text of the motet is in German, and it is a prayer for forgiveness and mercy. The motet is divided into three movements. The first movement is a setting of the first verse of Psalm 51, "Gott, sei mir gnädig nach deiner Güte" (God, be merciful to me according to your goodness). The music is in a homophonic style, with the voices singing together in harmony. The second movement is a setting of the second verse of the psalm, "Wasche mich rein von meiner Missetat" (Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity). This movement is more complex than the first, with the voices singing in imitation of each other. The third movement is a setting of the final verse of the psalm, "Schaffe in mir, Gott, ein reines Herz" (Create in me, O God, a clean heart). This movement is a simple and beautiful setting of the text, with the voices singing together in harmony. The characteristics of Schein's "Gott, sei mir gnädig" are typical of early Baroque music. The music is polyphonic, with the voices singing different melodies at the same time. The harmonies are often complex, with dissonances and suspensions adding tension and drama to the music. The text is set in a clear and expressive manner, with the music reflecting the meaning of the words. The motet is a beautiful example of early Baroque music, and it remains a popular work to this day.

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