Composer

:

Heinrich Schütz

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Requiem

Publication Date

:

1636

Average_duration

:

32:49

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

Heinrich Schütz's 'Musikalische Exequien' (Funeral Music), SWV 279-281 (Op. 7) is a sacred composition that was composed in 1636. It was written for the funeral of Heinrich Posthumus Reuß, a German nobleman who was a patron of Schütz. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct characteristics. The first movement, 'Concert in Form einer teutschen Begräbnis-Missa' (Concert in the form of a German funeral mass), is a setting of the traditional Latin mass for the dead. Schütz's setting is notable for its use of chromaticism and dissonance, which create a sense of tension and unease. The movement is scored for six voices (two sopranos, alto, tenor, and two basses) and is accompanied by a basso continuo. The second movement, 'Motette: 'Herr, wenn ich nur dich habe'' (Motet: 'Lord, when I have only you'), is a setting of Psalm 73:25-26. It is a solo motet for bass voice and is accompanied by a basso continuo. The movement is characterized by its simplicity and directness, with the bass voice singing a melody that is both plaintive and hopeful. The third movement, 'Canticum B. Simeonis: 'Herr, nun lässest du deinen Diener in Friede fahren'' (Canticle of Simeon: 'Lord, now let your servant depart in peace'), is a setting of the Nunc dimittis, a canticle from the Gospel of Luke. The movement is scored for four voices (soprano, alto, tenor, and bass) and is accompanied by a basso continuo. It is characterized by its use of polyphony, with the four voices weaving in and out of each other to create a rich and complex texture. Overall, Schütz's 'Musikalische Exequien' is a powerful and moving work that reflects the composer's deep faith and his mastery of the musical language of his time. Its use of chromaticism, dissonance, and polyphony make it a landmark work in the history of Western music, and it continues to be performed and admired to this day.

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