Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) 

O Heiland, reiß die Himmel auf   Op. 74 Nr. 2

Text by Friedrich von Spee

 

Brahms wrote three sets of Motets (Opus 29, 74 and 110). O Heiland reiß die Himmel auf reflects Brahms’ high art of contrapuntal writing, very much influenced by his familiarity of music by Bach. All movements are based on a chorale, which is sung as "cantus firmus" alternately by the sopranos, altos, tenors and basses. The fourth section (or verse), Hie Leiden wir die größte Not, is especially expressive and represents a harmonic beauty typical of Brahms’ works.