An Introduction to America’s Music

42 PART 1 | FROM COLONIZATION THROUGH THE CIVIL WAR

CD 1.5 Listening Guide 1.5

Ich will dir ein Freudenopfer thun

JOHANN FRIEDRICH PETER

date: ca. 1780s

performers: Boston Baroque; Martin

Pearlman, conductor

genre: Moravian anthem

meter: triple

form: through-composed

timing comments

0:00 Instrumental introduction anticipates the leading vocal melody, then turns to a more active

instrumental idiom.

0:18 Sopranos enter with the leading melody; the lower voices enter a bar later in free imitation.

0:30 After a 2-bar instrumental interlude, the voices sing a varied repeat of their opening, then proceed

to the second line of text.

0:43 Now the lower voices begin, and the sopranos enter a bar later.

0:49 On the word “Herr” (Lord), the music modulates to a higher key.

0:56 The opening instrumental introduction returns, now in the new key, then modulates to a darker,

minor key.

1:05 Vocal phrase and answering instrumental phrase in the minor key.

1:16 The last, and longest, vocal section begins in the minor key and modulates back “home” to the

tonic.

1:36 An instrumental coda (closing section) rounds out the anthem with a fi nal statement of the leading

melody.

Listen & Refl ect

1. Compare this music with the other pieces discussed in this chapter. What can be inferred
   about the role of the congregation in the music of these different religious traditions?

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

• elaborate choral and orchestral texture


• absence of literal repetition


• modulating tonality

Ich will dir ein Freudenopfer thun,

und deinem Namen danken, Herr,

dass er so tröstlich ist.

I will freely sacrifi ce unto thee:

I will praise thy name, O Lord;

for it is good.

Psalm 54:6

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