Composer

:

Christoph Bernhard

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

3:02

Christoph Bernhard was a German composer and music theorist of the Baroque era. He was born in 1628 in Kolberg, Pomerania, and died in 1692 in Dresden. Bernhard was a student of Heinrich Schütz, and later became the Kapellmeister at the court of Duke Christian of Saxe-Weissenfels. He is known for his vocal music, particularly his sacred works. One of Bernhard's most famous works is his motet "Gleich wie ein junger Hirsch" (Just as a young deer), which was composed in the mid-17th century. The piece is based on Psalm 42, which begins with the words "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God." The motet is written for five voices (SSATB) and continuo, and is divided into three movements. The first movement is a lively and joyful setting of the psalm text, with the voices imitating each other and the continuo providing a lively accompaniment. The second movement is a slower and more contemplative setting of the text, with the voices singing in homophony and the continuo providing a gentle and flowing accompaniment. The third movement returns to the lively and joyful character of the first movement, with the voices once again imitating each other and the continuo providing a lively accompaniment. The characteristics of "Gleich wie ein junger Hirsch" include its lively and joyful character, its use of imitation and homophony, and its skillful use of the continuo to provide a lively and flowing accompaniment. The piece is also notable for its expressive setting of the psalm text, which captures the longing and yearning expressed in the words. The motet was premiered during Bernhard's lifetime, and has remained a popular work in the Baroque choral repertoire. Its lively and joyful character, combined with its expressive setting of the psalm text, make it a favorite of choirs and audiences alike.

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