Composer

:

Christoph Bernhard

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

2:57

'Gute Nacht! Du eitles Leben!' is a sacred vocal work composed by Christoph Bernhard, a German composer and music theorist of the Baroque era. The piece was composed in the early 17th century and premiered in Germany. It is a part of the larger collection of sacred vocal works known as 'Geistliche Harmonien' or 'Spiritual Harmonies'. The work consists of two movements, both of which are written for a four-part choir. The first movement is a chorale, which is a hymn-like composition that is typically sung in a church setting. The text of the chorale is a German poem that reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of living a virtuous life. The music is characterized by its simple, yet elegant harmonies and its use of imitative polyphony, where each voice enters in succession with the same melody. The second movement is a motet, which is a sacred vocal composition that is typically sung in Latin. The text of the motet is taken from the Gospel of John and reflects on the theme of redemption. The music is characterized by its use of chromaticism, where the melody moves in half-steps, creating a sense of tension and release. The motet also features a solo soprano voice, which adds a sense of intimacy and emotional depth to the piece. Overall, 'Gute Nacht! Du eitles Leben!' is a beautiful example of Baroque sacred vocal music. Its simple yet elegant harmonies, use of imitative polyphony, and chromaticism make it a timeless piece that continues to be performed and enjoyed by audiences today.

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