Composer

:

Johannes Eccard

Genre

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

2:17

Johannes Eccard was a German composer of the late Renaissance period, known for his sacred choral music. One of his most famous works is "Verleih uns Frieden gnädiglich," which translates to "Grant us peace mercifully." This piece was composed in the early 17th century and premiered in 1615. "Verleih uns Frieden gnädiglich" is a four-part motet, which means it is written for four voices: soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. The piece is in a minor key, which gives it a somber and reflective mood. It is also written in a homophonic style, which means that all four voices sing the same rhythm and melody at the same time, creating a harmonious and unified sound. The piece is divided into three movements. The first movement begins with the text "Verleih uns Frieden gnädiglich," which is repeated throughout the piece. The voices enter one by one, building up to a full four-part harmony. The second movement is a short interlude, featuring a solo soprano voice singing the text "Denn es ist ja kein andrer." The final movement returns to the four-part harmony, with the voices singing the text "Amen." One of the characteristics of Eccard's music is his use of word painting, which means that the music reflects the meaning of the text. For example, in "Verleih uns Frieden gnädiglich," the music becomes more intense and dissonant on the word "Krieg" (war), and then resolves to a peaceful harmony on the word "Frieden" (peace). Overall, "Verleih uns Frieden gnädiglich" is a beautiful and poignant piece of sacred choral music, reflecting Eccard's skill as a composer and his devotion to his faith.

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