Dixit Dominus (Handel)

Dixit Dominus (HWV 232) is a setting of Psalm 110 in the Latin version of the Vulgate by George Frideric Handel (1685-1759 ). The Psalm has also been repeatedly put to music by other composers, such as Antonio Lotti, Antonio Vivaldi (several times), Alessandro Scarlatti, Mozart in his Vesperae solennes de Confessore.

Formation

Handel composed this piece at the age of 21 years during his three-year stay in Italy. He started ( it is presumed ) with the piece, as he prepares for a short time in Venice and Florence (?) Stayed, and placed it on April 11, 1707 finished, as he had already arrived in Rome. Dixit Dominus is - Laudate Dominum after for solo soprano and strings - the earliest surviving sacred works of Handel dar. In the summer of the same year followed by, inter alia, the two also Latin Laudate Pueri psalm settings of Nisi Dominus and in October and his first Italian opera Rodrigo.

Dixit Dominus was probably commissioned by Cardinal Carlo Colonna (1665-1739) commissioned and was intended for a performance for the annual feast of the Carmelite Order, on 16 and 17 July 1707 the Roman church of Santa Maria in Monte Santo in Piazza del Popolo, where the work of Handel himself was premiered.

Construction

Home key is G minor. The factory covers 9 sets for the text of the last sentence, the doxology is not part of the Psalm. The performance lasts about 35-40 minutes.

Before the morning star I have begotten thee from the womb.

Occupation

Five Soloists ( 2 soprano, alto, tenor, bass), five-part choir (2 soprano, alto, tenor, bass) and orchestra (violin I and II, Viola I II, cello, double bass and basso continuo )