Composer

:

Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Psalm

Publication Date

:

1604

Average_duration

:

2:57

Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck was a Dutch composer and organist of the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods. He was born in Deventer, Netherlands, in 1562 and died in Amsterdam in 1621. Sweelinck was one of the most important composers of his time, and his music had a significant influence on the development of Baroque music. One of Sweelinck's most famous works is "Incontinent que j'eu ouï (Psalm 122)," which he composed in 1614. The piece is a setting of Psalm 122 in French, and it is scored for four voices and continuo. The premiere of the work is not known, but it was likely performed in a church or chapel in Amsterdam. The piece is divided into three movements. The first movement is a lively and joyful setting of the first two verses of the psalm. The second movement is a slower and more contemplative setting of the third and fourth verses. The final movement is a return to the joyful mood of the first movement, with a lively and energetic setting of the final two verses of the psalm. Sweelinck's setting of Psalm 122 is characterized by its use of imitative polyphony, in which the voices imitate each other in a contrapuntal fashion. The piece also features a number of melodic and rhythmic motifs that are repeated throughout the work, creating a sense of unity and coherence. Overall, "Incontinent que j'eu ouï (Psalm 122)" is a beautiful and expressive work that showcases Sweelinck's mastery of polyphonic composition. Its joyful and contemplative moods, combined with its intricate counterpoint and melodic motifs, make it a true masterpiece of Renaissance music.

More....