Composer

:

Dietrich Buxtehude

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

133:00

Dietrich Buxtehude's 'Das Jüngste Gericht' (The Last Judgment) is a sacred vocal work composed for five voices, two violins, two violas da gamba, and basso continuo. The exact date of composition is unknown, but it is believed to have been written in the late 1670s or early 1680s. The work was likely premiered in Lübeck, where Buxtehude served as the organist at the Marienkirche. The piece is divided into six movements, each depicting a different aspect of the Last Judgment. The first movement, 'Kommt her zu mir, die ihr mühselig und beladen seid' (Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened), is a chorale setting that serves as an introduction to the work. The second movement, 'Der Herr kommt mit viel tausend Heiligen' (The Lord comes with many thousands of saints), is a lively and energetic chorus that depicts the arrival of Christ on Judgment Day. The third movement, 'Die Posaunen erschallen' (The trumpets sound), is a duet for two tenors that describes the sounding of the trumpets that will announce the coming of the Lord. The fourth movement, 'Die Toten werden auferstehen' (The dead will rise), is a somber and reflective aria for bass that speaks of the resurrection of the dead. The fifth movement, 'Der Herr, der wird ein neues Gericht aufführen' (The Lord will bring a new judgment), is a chorus that describes the judgment that will take place on the Last Day. The final movement, 'So werden wir allezeit bei dem Herrn sein' (So we will always be with the Lord), is a chorale setting that concludes the work with a message of hope and comfort. Overall, 'Das Jüngste Gericht' is a powerful and dramatic work that showcases Buxtehude's skill as a composer of sacred music. The piece is characterized by its rich harmonies, expressive melodies, and vivid depictions of the events of the Last Judgment.

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