Composer

:

Ludwig van Beethoven

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

1800

Average_duration

:

4:23

Bußlied, Op. 48/6 is a choral work composed by Ludwig van Beethoven in 1803. The piece was premiered in Vienna on March 22, 1804, as part of a concert that also featured the premieres of Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 and his oratorio Christ on the Mount of Olives. The piece is a setting of a German text by Christian Fürchtegott Gellert, which translates to "Penitential Song." The text is a prayer for forgiveness and a plea for guidance on the path to righteousness. Beethoven's setting is for four-part choir and piano accompaniment. The piece is divided into three movements. The first movement is marked "Andante con moto" and is in the key of C minor. The movement begins with a somber piano introduction, which is followed by the entrance of the choir. The choir sings the first verse of the text in unison, with the piano providing a simple accompaniment. The second verse is sung by the choir in four-part harmony, with the piano providing a more complex accompaniment. The movement ends with a return to the somber piano introduction. The second movement is marked "Allegro" and is in the key of C major. The movement begins with a lively piano introduction, which is followed by the entrance of the choir. The choir sings the third verse of the text in four-part harmony, with the piano providing a lively accompaniment. The movement ends with a return to the lively piano introduction. The third movement is marked "Andante" and is in the key of C minor. The movement begins with a piano introduction that is similar to the introduction of the first movement. The choir then sings the fourth and final verse of the text in four-part harmony, with the piano providing a simple accompaniment. The movement ends with a return to the somber piano introduction. Overall, Bußlied, Op. 48/6 is a reflective and introspective work that showcases Beethoven's skill in setting choral texts. The piece is notable for its use of simple harmonies and melodies, which allow the text to take center stage.

More....