Ego sum ipse

For a service of reconciliation or confession, Hieronymus Praetorius’s motet Ego sum ipse offers words of divine assurance. The text, drawn from the prophet Isaiah, presents God speaking directly to the people, proclaiming forgiveness and the blotting out of sins. Praetorius, a master of the North German polychoral style, sets this powerful promise for double choir (SATTB and SATTB). The scoring allows for a rich, resonant sound, ideal for liturgical settings, and emphasizes the comforting message of divine mercy. The composer’s skill in weaving together the vocal lines creates a magnificent sonic architecture, perfect for a contemplative moment within a sacred service.