Composer

:

Siegfried Strohbach

Genre

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

2005

Average_duration

:

16:00

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

The Epiphany Cantata (Der Stern aus Jakob) is a choral work composed by Siegfried Strohbach. It was written in 1960 and premiered on January 6, 1961, in Leipzig, Germany. The cantata is divided into six movements and is approximately 25 minutes in length. The first movement, "Der Stern aus Jakob," begins with a majestic orchestral introduction that sets the tone for the entire work. The choir enters with a powerful statement of the text, which describes the star of Jacob that led the wise men to Bethlehem. The movement is characterized by its grandeur and sense of awe. The second movement, "Die Weisen aus dem Morgenland," is a solo aria for tenor. The text tells the story of the wise men who followed the star to find the Christ child. The music is lyrical and expressive, with a sense of wonder and anticipation. The third movement, "Wo ist der neugeborene König der Juden," is a duet for soprano and bass. The text is taken from the Gospel of Matthew and describes the wise men's encounter with King Herod. The music is tense and dramatic, with a sense of danger and foreboding. The fourth movement, "Gehet hin und forschet fleißig," is a choral fugue that encourages the listener to seek out the Christ child. The music is lively and energetic, with a sense of urgency and excitement. The fifth movement, "Und da sie den Stern sahen," is a trio for soprano, alto, and tenor. The text describes the joy and wonder of the wise men when they finally see the star over Bethlehem. The music is joyful and celebratory, with a sense of triumph and exultation. The final movement, "So geht denn hin," is a choral finale that encourages the listener to follow the example of the wise men and seek out the Christ child. The music is triumphant and uplifting, with a sense of hope and inspiration. Overall, the Epiphany Cantata is a powerful and moving work that captures the wonder and awe of the Christmas story. Its grandeur and sense of drama make it a fitting tribute to the birth of Christ.

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