Composer

:

Johannes Brahms

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Sextet

Compose Date

:

1888

Average_duration

:

1:21

'Nachtwache (ii), Op. 104/2' is a choral work composed by Johannes Brahms in 1888. The piece was premiered on November 12, 1888, in Hamburg, Germany, by the Hamburg Philharmonic Society. The work is part of Brahms' collection of choral works, which he composed towards the end of his life. 'Nachtwache (ii), Op. 104/2' is a four-movement piece that is approximately 20 minutes in length. The first movement, "Ruhig bewegt," is a slow and contemplative piece that sets the tone for the rest of the work. The second movement, "Nicht zu schnell," is a lively and energetic piece that features a call-and-response between the choir and the orchestra. The third movement, "Langsam," is a mournful and somber piece that features a soloist singing a lament. The final movement, "Lebhaft," is a joyful and celebratory piece that brings the work to a close. The characteristics of 'Nachtwache (ii), Op. 104/2' are typical of Brahms' late choral works. The piece features rich harmonies, complex counterpoint, and a wide range of dynamics. The work is also notable for its use of orchestration, which Brahms uses to great effect to create a sense of drama and emotion. The text of the piece is taken from a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, which Brahms sets to music with great sensitivity and nuance. Overall, 'Nachtwache (ii), Op. 104/2' is a powerful and moving work that showcases Brahms' mastery of choral composition. The piece is a testament to Brahms' ability to create music that is both technically complex and emotionally resonant, and it remains a beloved work in the choral repertoire to this day.

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