Composer

:

Heinrich Schütz

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Publication Date

:

1648

Average_duration

:

4:03

Heinrich Schütz's 'Du Schalksknecht, SWV 397 (Op. 11/29)' is a vocal work composed in the early 17th century. The piece was likely composed in the early 1620s, during Schütz's tenure as Kapellmeister at the court of Elector Johann Georg I in Dresden. The work is a sacred concerto for bass voice, two violins, and continuo, and is part of Schütz's larger collection of sacred works, which includes both vocal and instrumental music. The premiere of 'Du Schalksknecht' is not known, but it was likely performed in the court chapel in Dresden. The piece is divided into two movements, with the first movement being a recitative and the second movement being an aria. The text of the piece is taken from the Gospel of Matthew, and tells the story of the servant who owed his master a great debt and was forgiven. The first movement of 'Du Schalksknecht' is characterized by its declamatory style, with the bass voice singing the text in a speech-like manner. The two violins provide a simple accompaniment, with occasional interjections that emphasize certain words or phrases in the text. The second movement is more melodic, with the bass voice singing a more lyrical melody over a more complex accompaniment. The violins play a prominent role in this movement, with a lively and virtuosic violin solo in the middle of the piece. Overall, 'Du Schalksknecht' is a typical example of Schütz's sacred music, with its simple yet expressive melodies, clear and direct text setting, and emphasis on the text and its meaning. The piece is also notable for its use of the bass voice, which was a relatively new development in the early 17th century and allowed for a greater range of expression and emotion in vocal music.

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