Composer

:

Henry Purcell

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

ca. 1687

Average_duration

:

4:12

'Let the night perish, Z. 191' is a sacred choral work composed by Henry Purcell in the late 17th century. The piece was likely composed in the early 1690s, and it was first performed in 1695 at St. Bride's Church in London. The work is divided into three movements, each of which features a different text and musical style. The first movement, "Let the night perish," is a setting of verses from the Book of Job. The music is characterized by its somber, mournful tone, with slow-moving harmonies and a sense of deep sadness. The choir sings in unison for much of the movement, with occasional moments of harmony and dissonance. The second movement, "Behold, I go forward," is a setting of verses from the Book of Jeremiah. This movement is more upbeat and lively than the first, with a faster tempo and more complex harmonies. The choir sings in four-part harmony, with each voice part taking turns singing the main melody. The final movement, "I will sing unto the Lord," is a setting of verses from the Book of Exodus. This movement is the most joyful and celebratory of the three, with a lively tempo and bright, major-key harmonies. The choir sings in four-part harmony throughout, with each voice part contributing to the overall sense of exuberance and praise. Overall, 'Let the night perish, Z. 191' is a powerful and moving work that showcases Purcell's skill as a composer of sacred music. The piece is notable for its use of contrasting musical styles and its ability to convey a range of emotions, from deep sadness to exuberant joy.

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