Composer

:

Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber

Genre

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1693

Publication Date

:

1693

Average_duration

:

4:16

Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber's 'Beatus Vir in G major (Vesperae Longiores I/3), C. 15' is a sacred choral work composed in the Baroque era. It was likely composed in the early 1670s, during Biber's tenure as Kapellmeister at the Salzburg court. The work is scored for four-part choir, soloists, and continuo. The piece is divided into six movements, each of which sets a different section of Psalm 112. The first movement, "Beatus vir," is a lively and joyful setting of the opening verses of the psalm. The second movement, "Gloria et divitiae," is a more contemplative and introspective setting of the psalm's middle verses. The third movement, "Exortum est in tenebris," is a dramatic and intense setting of the psalm's description of the righteous man rising up from darkness. The fourth movement, "Jucundus homo," is a cheerful and celebratory setting of the psalm's description of the righteous man's happiness. The fifth movement, "Dispersit, dedit pauperibus," is a gentle and compassionate setting of the psalm's description of the righteous man's generosity. The final movement, "Gloria Patri," is a brief and triumphant setting of the psalm's closing doxology. Throughout the work, Biber employs a variety of musical techniques to convey the text's meaning and emotion. He uses lively rhythms and bright harmonies in the joyful sections, and more somber harmonies and slower tempos in the introspective sections. He also employs word painting, such as the descending chromatic lines in "Exortum est in tenebris" to depict the darkness from which the righteous man rises. Overall, 'Beatus Vir in G major' is a masterful example of Baroque sacred choral music, showcasing Biber's skill in setting text to music and his ability to convey a range of emotions through his compositions. The work likely premiered in Salzburg during Biber's tenure as Kapellmeister, and has since become a beloved piece in the choral repertoire.

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