Composer

:

Johannes Eccard

Genre

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

5:01

Johannes Eccard was a German composer of the late Renaissance period, known for his sacred choral music. One of his most famous works is "Selig ist der gepreiset," a motet for six voices. The composition was likely written in the early 1600s, during Eccard's time as Kapellmeister at the court of Duke Johann Adolf I of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp. It was first published in 1615 in Eccard's collection "Newe Deudsche Lieder," which included both sacred and secular works. "Selig ist der gepreiset" is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement is a joyful and celebratory setting of the Beatitudes from the Gospel of Matthew. The second movement is a more contemplative and introspective setting of a text from the Book of Revelation, focusing on the Lamb of God. The final movement returns to the joyful mood of the first, with a setting of a text from the Psalms praising God's mercy and goodness. Throughout the work, Eccard employs a variety of choral textures and techniques to create a rich and expressive sound. The six voices are often divided into smaller groups, creating intricate polyphonic textures and allowing for moments of contrast and unity. Eccard also makes use of imitative counterpoint, where one voice echoes or imitates another, creating a sense of unity and coherence. Overall, "Selig ist der gepreiset" is a masterful example of Eccard's skill as a composer of sacred choral music. Its combination of joyful celebration and introspective contemplation, along with its rich and expressive choral textures, make it a beloved work of the Renaissance repertoire.

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