Composer

:

Heinrich Schütz

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

7:03

Heinrich Schütz's 'O bone Jesu, fili Mariae, SWV 471' is a sacred motet composed in the early 17th century. The piece was likely composed during Schütz's time in Venice, where he studied with Giovanni Gabrieli. It was first published in 1629 as part of Schütz's collection 'Symphoniae sacrae II'. The motet is written for five voices (SSATB) and is divided into two movements. The first movement is a setting of the text "O bone Jesu, fili Mariae, miserere mei" (O good Jesus, son of Mary, have mercy on me). The second movement is a setting of the text "In hora mortis meae voca me" (In the hour of my death, call me). The first movement begins with a homophonic statement of the text by the full choir. This is followed by a series of imitative entries, with each voice taking turns to sing the text. The music is characterized by its expressive harmonies and use of dissonance to convey the text's plea for mercy. The movement ends with a return to the homophonic texture of the opening. The second movement begins with a solo voice singing the text, accompanied by a simple chordal accompaniment. The full choir then enters with a series of imitative entries, with each voice taking turns to sing the text. The music is characterized by its use of chromaticism and expressive harmonies to convey the text's plea for salvation. The movement ends with a return to the solo voice and chordal accompaniment of the opening. Overall, 'O bone Jesu, fili Mariae, SWV 471' is a powerful and expressive work that showcases Schütz's mastery of the sacred motet form. Its use of expressive harmonies and dissonance to convey the text's emotional content is typical of Schütz's style, and it remains a popular work in the choral repertoire to this day.

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