Composer

:

Heinrich Schütz

Genre

:

Choral

Publication Date

:

1628

Average_duration

:

2:17

Heinrich Schütz's 'Wer nicht sitzt im Gottlosen Rat' is a sacred vocal work composed in the early 17th century. The piece is part of Schütz's larger collection of works known as the Symphoniae Sacrae, which was published in three volumes between 1629 and 1650. 'Wer nicht sitzt im Gottlosen Rat' is the first piece in the first volume of the collection and is also known as Op. 5/1 and Op. 14/1. The piece is scored for five voices (SSATB) and continuo and is based on Psalm 1. It is divided into two movements, with the first movement being a setting of the first two verses of the psalm and the second movement being a setting of the final two verses. The first movement begins with a declamatory section in which the voices sing in unison, emphasizing the importance of avoiding the company of the wicked. The music then becomes more contrapuntal as the voices weave in and out of each other, reflecting the text's emphasis on the righteous person's delight in the law of the Lord. The movement ends with a return to the declamatory style, with the voices once again singing in unison to emphasize the fate of the wicked. The second movement begins with a more subdued and introspective tone, reflecting the text's emphasis on the fate of the wicked. The voices sing in a more homophonic style, with the melody moving between the different voices. The movement then builds to a climax as the voices sing in a more contrapuntal style, reflecting the text's emphasis on the Lord's protection of the righteous. Overall, 'Wer nicht sitzt im Gottlosen Rat' is a masterful example of Schütz's skill in setting sacred texts to music. The piece's use of contrasting styles and textures, as well as its emphasis on the importance of avoiding the company of the wicked and the Lord's protection of the righteous, make it a powerful and moving work.

More....