(pub. 1879)

These two works represent the pinnacle of Brahms' writing for unaccompanied chorus. Lengthy and complex, they demonstrate a mastery of contrapuntal and variation technique not seen in choral music since Bach.

1. Warum is das Licht gegeben dem Mühseligen? (Why Is Light Given to Him That Is in Misery?). This motet grew out of the canonic Mass movements (WoO 18) that Brahms wrote in 1856 as counterpoint studies. The first movement is a dense and chromatic reworking of Brahms' earlier canonic Agnus Dei. The second movement, a reworking of the canonic Benedictus, is joyous and spiritual in mood. The third movement, a transformation of canonic Dona nobis pacem, retains only the soprano melody from that work. The other parts elaborate with newly composed contrapuntal textures. The movement concludes with a recall of the previous movement's ending. The final movement is a simpler setting of the traditional chorale melody Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin (With Peace and Joy I Go There). Brahms' dedication of this motet to the Bach scholar Philipp Spitta is probably an homage to that great composer's influence on this motet. It is Brahms' greatest work for unaccompanied chorus.

2. O Heiland, reiß die Himmel auf (O Redeemer, rend the heavens). This motet is based on the old German Catholic song of the same name. The setting is in the form of five chorale variations and has much in common with Bach's Cantata Number 4, Christ lag in Todesbanden (Christ Lay In Death's Bonds). This work represents a successful updating of a traditional Baroque compositional technique, and while not as complex as the Warum Motet, is still a contrapuntal and stylistic masterpiece in its own right.



© All Music Guide