AbstractsHistory

Uns ist ein Kind geboren was dated by Spitta, in his book on Bach, as either 1712 or 1713 during Bach's Weimar period (1708-1717), therefore inferring it to be one of his earliest cantatas. However, it is highly possible that this cantata was not composed by Bach but perhaps by Johann Kuhnau, Bach's predecessor as Kantor at Saint Thomas' Church in Leipzig, for Christmas Day of 1720. There are several stylistic characteristics of the cantata which could support this belief, such as simpler harmonic and melodic elements. Uns ist ein Kind geboren begins with an instrumental introduction followed by a polyphonic chorus developed around the subject "Uns ist ein Kind geboren" and the counter-subject "ein Son ist uns gegeben". The second chorus alternates between polyphonic and homophonic sections, and the final chorale is set in an instrumental concerto style. The second aria, "Jesu, dir sei Dank", composed in a da capo form, is, musically, exactly the same as the following aria, "Jesu, dir sei Preis", although the instrumentation is varied. Maurice Durufle (born January 11, 1902) is a French composer and organist who studied organ with Guilmant, Tournemire and Vierne, and composition with Paul Dukas. He became the organist of St. Etienne-du-Mont, Paris, in 1930. In 1942 he assisted Dupre at the Paris Conservatoire, and then received professorship in harmony there from 1943 to 1969. Durufle was commissioned by his publishers to compose a suite of organ pieces based on plainsong themes from the Mass of the Dead. However, in 1947, at the death of his father, Durufle extended the work into a Requiem. The music uses Gregorian chant extensively, but combines these ancient melodies with Debussyian and Ravellian harmonies and tone colors to produce a unique variety of blends and contrasts. He has organized the flexible rhythms of plainsong in modern notation, but has retained the original non-metric scheme. The plainsong melodies are treated in a variety of ways, such as the opening "Requiem aeternam..." where the melody is quoted literally, or in the "Kyrie" where the ancient habit of the cantus firmus is revived in long notes and given to the organ. Canonic treatment of the plainsong occurs in the "Agnus Dei". At times the text inspires original musical elements to take over completely, as in the "Domine Jesu Christe", "Sanctus", and the "Libera Me". The musical form of each movement is dictated by the form of the liturgy. These two compositions which I chose gave me the opportunity to study contrasting styles. Uns ist ein Kind geboren challenged me to work with a chamber orchestra, and to achieve a light, rhythmic intensity characteristic of the Baroque style. The Durufle Requiem offered a variety of challenges: studying the flow of plainsong rhythms, constantly changing beat patterns, and teaching the choir to produce a wide range of tone colors to fit the various demands of the movements.