Composer

:

Marc-Antoine Charpentier

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Psalm

Compose Date

:

1679

Average_duration

:

7:19

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

"Super flumina Babylonis, H. 170" is a sacred motet composed by Marc-Antoine Charpentier in the 17th century. The piece was composed in 1680 and premiered in Paris, France. It is a six-movement work that is based on Psalm 136, which is also known as the "By the Rivers of Babylon" psalm. The first movement of the motet is a choral setting of the opening verses of Psalm 136. The music is characterized by its use of polyphony, with multiple voices singing different melodies at the same time. The second movement is a solo aria that features a soprano singing a lament about being exiled from Jerusalem. The music is slow and mournful, with a simple accompaniment that emphasizes the singer's emotional delivery. The third movement is a duet between a soprano and a tenor. The music is more upbeat than the previous movements, with a lively melody that reflects the joy of returning to Jerusalem. The fourth movement is another choral setting of the psalm, this time with a more complex polyphonic structure that showcases Charpentier's skill as a composer. The fifth movement is a solo aria that features a bass singing about the destruction of Jerusalem. The music is somber and mournful, with a slow tempo that emphasizes the singer's emotional delivery. The final movement is a choral setting of the closing verses of Psalm 136. The music is triumphant and joyful, with a lively melody that reflects the joy of returning to Jerusalem. Overall, "Super flumina Babylonis, H. 170" is a beautiful and complex work that showcases Charpentier's skill as a composer. The piece is characterized by its use of polyphony, complex harmonies, and emotional delivery. It remains a popular work in the sacred music repertoire and is often performed in churches and concert halls around the world.

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