Composer

:

Heinrich Schütz

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Motet

Publication Date

:

1648

Average_duration

:

3:45

Heinrich Schütz's 'Die mit Tränen säen' (Those who sow with tears) is a sacred concerto for five voices and basso continuo. It was composed in 1619 and premiered in Dresden, Germany. The piece is part of Schütz's collection of sacred works known as the 'Symphoniae Sacrae', which he composed during his time as the court composer for the Elector of Saxony. The concerto is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character and musical style. The first movement is a sorrowful lament, with the voices singing in unison to express the pain and suffering of those who sow with tears. The second movement is a more upbeat and joyful section, with the voices singing in harmony to celebrate the eventual harvest that will come from the tears sown in the first movement. The final movement returns to the mournful tone of the first, with the voices once again singing in unison to express the hope and faith that sustains those who sow with tears. Schütz's use of harmony and counterpoint in 'Die mit Tränen säen' is particularly noteworthy. He employs a variety of techniques to create a rich and complex texture, including imitative polyphony, homophonic textures, and chromatic harmonies. The use of chromaticism in particular gives the piece a sense of emotional depth and intensity, as the dissonant harmonies reflect the pain and suffering expressed in the text. Overall, 'Die mit Tränen säen' is a powerful and moving work that showcases Schütz's skill as a composer of sacred music. Its combination of sorrowful and joyful elements, along with its intricate harmonies and counterpoint, make it a masterpiece of the Baroque era.

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