This piece, besides being beautiful and historically relevant, is one of those SATB pieces that could be accessible to a middle level choir.
Innsbruck could easily introduce a middle level choir to German language repertoire, as well as Renaissance music. The independent lines with a great deal of contrary motion make this piece easier to learn for less trained ears. The male lines are fairly limited in range; low bass notes, like in mm. 8 could easily, raised an octave if no voices can sing that low. The same is true in mm. 5-6 and mm.12-13 in the alto line. I would most definitely raise those passages an octave; this would cause some voice crossing with the sopranos, and although Schütz might mind, I don't. Transposing the whole piece a step up would also be a way to resolve some of these issues.
The parts are not easy, but because this piece is short and strophic, it would not be too difficult.
This piece is all about ebb, flow, and line. Each part has it's own moments to shine, so this piece would be ideal to teach listening as an ensemble. The rise and fall of the lines also goes well with the phrasing, so it would be a good way to start learning the rise and fall of phrases. It could also serve to teach about varying dynamics, phrasing, and mood between strophes.
The text has a beautiful backstory, about Schütz leaving his favorite home in the country. The text is very relatable (once translated) to younger people. They can relate it to leaving summer camp or in general home sickness. Also, it's in German, so obviously, I like it!
Highlights:
- independent lines
- beautiful phrases
- issues are easily rewritten
- historically relevant
- beautiful, relatable text
- intro to strophic form!
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