Composer

:

Dietrich Buxtehude

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

12:43

Movement_count

:

7

Movement ....

"Ich halte es dafür" is a sacred vocal work composed by Dietrich Buxtehude, a Danish-German composer and organist of the Baroque era. The piece is also known as BuxWV 48, as it is catalogued in the Buxtehude-Werke-Verzeichnis, a catalogue of Buxtehude's works. The composition is believed to have been written in the late 17th century, during Buxtehude's tenure as the organist at the Marienkirche in Lübeck, Germany. The exact date of composition is unknown, but it is thought to have been written around 1680-1690. "Ich halte es dafür" is a vocal work for solo bass, accompanied by a basso continuo consisting of a bass instrument (such as a cello or bassoon) and a keyboard instrument (such as an organ or harpsichord). The piece is divided into three movements: an aria, a recitative, and a final aria. The first aria is in a slow, contemplative tempo and features a simple, repeating melody in the bass line. The vocal line is more complex, with long, flowing phrases that require a skilled singer to execute. The text of the aria is taken from the Gospel of Luke, and speaks of the humility and faith required to enter the kingdom of heaven. The recitative that follows is more declamatory in style, with the singer delivering the text in a speech-like manner. The text is taken from the Epistle of James, and speaks of the importance of putting one's faith into action. The final aria is in a faster tempo and features a more lively melody. The text is taken from the Gospel of Matthew, and speaks of the rewards that await those who follow Christ. Overall, "Ich halte es dafür" is a beautiful example of Buxtehude's skill as a composer of sacred vocal music. The piece showcases his ability to write expressive melodies and to set text in a way that is both musically and spiritually meaningful.

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