Composer

:

Dietrich Buxtehude

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

5:31

Dietrich Buxtehude's 'Nun lasst uns Gott dem Herren' (BuxWV 81) is a sacred vocal work composed for four-part choir and basso continuo. The piece was likely composed in the late 1670s or early 1680s during Buxtehude's tenure as the organist at the Marienkirche in Lübeck, Germany. The work is structured in four movements, each based on a verse from the hymn 'Nun lasst uns Gott dem Herren' by Johann Walter. The first movement is a lively and joyful setting of the first verse, featuring imitative polyphony and a lively basso continuo. The second movement is a more contemplative setting of the second verse, featuring a solo soprano voice accompanied by a simple basso continuo. The third movement is a lively and dance-like setting of the third verse, featuring a lively basso continuo and imitative polyphony. The final movement is a grand and celebratory setting of the fourth verse, featuring a full choir and basso continuo. The work is characteristic of Buxtehude's style, featuring a combination of imitative polyphony and homophonic textures, as well as a lively and virtuosic basso continuo. The work also showcases Buxtehude's skill in setting text to music, with each movement reflecting the mood and meaning of the corresponding verse of the hymn. 'Nun lasst uns Gott dem Herren' was likely premiered during a church service at the Marienkirche in Lübeck, where Buxtehude was known for his innovative and expressive sacred music. The work remains a popular and frequently performed example of Buxtehude's sacred vocal music, showcasing his skill as a composer and his deep understanding of the relationship between music and text.

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