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Gottfried August Homilius (Composer) |
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Born: February 2, 1714 - RosenthaI near Königstein, Saxony, Germany
Died: June 2, 1785 - Dresden, Germany |
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The German composer, Gottfried August Homilius, was a pupil of J.S. Bach, and master of Johann Adam Hiller. He matriculated at the University of Leipzig in 1735; in 1742 he became organist of the Frauenkirche in Dresden, and in 1755 director of the music in the three principal churches there, and Kantor of tbe Kreuzschule, the choir of which he brought to a high pitch of excellence. He enjoyed a considerable reputation among his contemporaries as an organist, especially for his skill in registration. He was an industrious composer, and in the latter part of the 18th century his larger church works were ranked very high.
Gottfried August Homilius' numerous sacred compositions are characterised by a peculiarly happy vein of melody, and, in accordance with the taste of the day, an avoidance' of polyphonic treatment of the parts. On the other hand, it is difficult to compare his music with more modern homophonic compositions. His treatment of his themes - as is the case throughout this period in which J.S. Bach's influence was paramount - is always interesting, and sometimes masterly. His most important works are his motets, model compositions of the kind.
Little of his music has been printed, but he was very liberal in allowing copies of his works to be taken. Of his 32 motets some excellent examples are to be found in his pupil Johann Adam Hiller's Vierstimmige Motetten, in Sander's Heilige Caecilia (Berlin, 1818-19), Weeber's Kirchliche Chorgesänge (Stuttgart, 1857), and Trautwein's Auswahl. Specimens of his organ works are to be found in Körner's Orgelvirtuos. A Pater Noster for four voices, fully bearing out the description of his style just given, is printed in Hullah's 'Vocal Scores.' His published works include, a Passions-Cantate (1775); a Christmas oratorio, Die Freude der Hirten über die Geburt Jesu (1777); Sechs deutsche Arien fiir Freunde ernsthafter Gesänge (1786) and a Weihnachtsmotette. Those still in manuscript are much more numerous, and comprise a course of church music for Sundays and festivals; several Passions, including one according to St. Mark, perhaps his best work; a Choralbuch containing 167 chorales; and finally organ music, consisting of fugues, chorales with variations, and trios. |
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Source: Grove’s Dictionary of Music and Musicians (1952 Edition, Author: A. Maczwesky)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (December 2005) |
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Works previously attributed to J.S. Bach |
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Chorale Prelude for organ Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele, BWV 759
Chorale Prelude for organ Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele, BWV Anh 74 (Emans 157) (?) |
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Use of Chorale Melodies in his works |
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Title |
Chorale Melody |
Year |
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Allein Gott in der Hoh sei Her , Chorale Prelude for Organ |
Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr |
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Christ lag in Todesbanden, Fugato for Organ |
Christ lag in Todesbanden |
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Durch Adams Fall Ist Ganz Verderbt for organ & oboe |
Durch Adams Fall ist ganz verderbt |
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Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ , a Cantata |
Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ |
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Gelobet Seist Du, Jesu Christ , Chorale for Organ |
Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ |
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Choral Prelude for organ, Herr Jesu Christ, Du Höchstes Gut |
Herr Jesu Christ, du höchstes Gut |
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Nun Komm der Heiden Heiland , Choral Prelude for Organ |
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland |
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O Gott, du frommer Gott , Cantata |
O Gott, du frommer Gott |
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Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele , Chorale Prelude for Organ (previously attributed to J.S. Bach as BWV 769) |
Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele |
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Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele , Chorale Prelude for Organ (previously attributed to J.S. Bach as BWV Anh 74) |
Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele |
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Schmücke Dich, O Liebe Seel , for organ & oboe |
Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele |
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Cantata: Schwing dich auf zu deinem Gott |
Schwing dich auf zu deinem Gott |
1783 |
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So gehst du nun, Mein Jesu, hin , Motet for Chorus |
So gehst du nun, mein Jesu, hin |
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Mache dich mein geist Bereit , Choral Prelude for Organ |
Straf mich nicht in deinem Zorn |
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Straf Mich Nicht in Deinem Zorn |
Straf mich nicht in deinem Zorn |
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Panta kalos pepoinke with the German Chorale Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan, Motet |
Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan |
1768 |
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Chorale Prelude for organ Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten, |
Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten |
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Wir Christenleut, Chorale Prelude for Organ (at one time considered to be a composition by J.S. Bach) |
Wir Christenleut habn jetzund Freud |
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