Composer

:

Henry Purcell

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Anthem

Compose Date

:

ca. 1679

Average_duration

:

8:44

'Who hath believed our report?, Z. 64' is a sacred choral work composed by Henry Purcell in 1680. It was premiered at the Chapel Royal in London on Good Friday of the same year. The piece is divided into six movements, each of which is based on a verse from the 53rd chapter of the Book of Isaiah. The first movement, "Who hath believed our report?", is a choral lament that sets the tone for the entire work. The second movement, "He was despised and rejected of men", is a solo aria that features a mournful melody and a descending bass line that emphasizes the rejection and suffering of the Messiah. The third movement, "Surely he hath borne our griefs", is a choral setting of the same verse, which features a more hopeful and uplifting melody. The fourth movement, "And with his stripes we are healed", is a choral fugue that builds in intensity as the voices enter one by one. The fifth movement, "All we like sheep have gone astray", is a choral setting of a verse that emphasizes the universality of sin and the need for redemption. The final movement, "And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all", is a choral setting of the final verse of the chapter, which emphasizes the redemptive power of the Messiah's sacrifice. The characteristics of 'Who hath believed our report?, Z. 64' are typical of Purcell's sacred choral works. The piece features rich harmonies, expressive melodies, and a sense of drama and emotion that is characteristic of the Baroque era. The use of solo arias and choral fugues adds variety and interest to the work, while the use of biblical text gives it a sense of gravitas and importance. Overall, 'Who hath believed our report?, Z. 64' is a powerful and moving work that showcases Purcell's skill as a composer of sacred music.

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