Composer

:

Johannes Eccard

Genre

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

2:44

Johannes Eccard was a German composer of the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods. He was born in 1553 in Mühlhausen, Thuringia, and died in 1611 in Berlin. Eccard was a prolific composer of sacred and secular music, and his works were highly regarded during his lifetime. One of Eccard's most famous works is "Wir singen all mit Freudenschall," which translates to "We all sing with joyful sound." This piece is a German chorale, and it was composed in the late 16th century. The exact date of composition is unknown, but it is believed to have been written around 1590. "Wir singen all mit Freudenschall" is a four-part chorale, and it is typically performed a cappella. The piece has a joyful and celebratory character, and it is often performed during Christmas and other festive occasions. The text of the chorale is a hymn of praise to God, and it is based on Psalm 100. The piece is divided into three movements. The first movement is a lively and energetic introduction, with all four parts singing together in harmony. The second movement is a slower and more contemplative section, with the melody moving between the different parts. The third movement is a return to the joyful and celebratory character of the first movement, with all four parts singing together in harmony once again. One of the characteristics of Eccard's music is his use of chromaticism, which is the use of notes outside of the diatonic scale. This can be heard in "Wir singen all mit Freudenschall," particularly in the second movement. Eccard also makes use of imitative polyphony, which is when different parts of the music imitate each other. "Wir singen all mit Freudenschall" was first performed in the late 16th century, and it has remained a popular piece of music ever since. It has been performed by choirs all over the world, and it is considered to be one of Eccard's most enduring works.

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