Stabat Mater
The heavily symbolic language of the hymn Stabat mater, which probably dates back to the 13th century, describes Mary’s suffering at her son’s crucifixion. The text has inspired composers throughout the ages. The scoring of this setting by Julia Schwartz already gives an indication of her musical approach. Soprano, mezzo-soprano, alto and baritone are accompanied by an organ part that is frequently restricted to resting notes and motivic interjections. Short and slowly evolving melodic lines on the organ form a dialog with the choir. Unostentatious and largely homophonic, the choral writing is both transparent and emotionally powerful. Two voice groups are coupled in the short polyphonic sections to form a kind of colloquy. The music gains in intensity, increasingly disturbing the initially rather meditative and restrained atmosphere. The organ accompaniment also becomes denser, supporting the choral dynamics to slowly reveal Mary’s unfathomable pain.
- Transparent and moving setting of Stabat Mater
- Unusual choral scoring (SMsABar)
- Attractive and easy to read
- Sensitive and effective organ accompaniment
View
-
Composer
Julia Schwartz
| 1963Julia Schwartz studierte Gesang am Oberlin College Conservatory in Ohio, USA. Ab 1985 setzte sie in München und in Zürich ihre Ausbildung in Gesang und Musiktheorie fort und zwischen 2014 und 2021 hat sie Weiterbildungen in Chor- und Orchesterleitung absolviert. Sie komponiert in praktisch allen Gattungen, ist aktiv als Sängerin mit vorwiegend zeitgenössicher Musik sowie Chansons und erteilt private Gesangsstunden. Sie wohnt in Frauenfeld, in der Ostschweiz.
www.juliaschwartz.ch Personal details
Reviews on our website can only be submitted by customers with a registered user account. A check whether the rated products were actually purchased does not take place.
Frequent questions about this work
There are no questions and answers available so far or you were unable to find an answer to your specific question about this work? Then click here and send your specific questions to our Customer Services!
