Ach hertes Herz
Staff Notation • Secular, Madrigals
Subscribed as
Want Sunday picks sent to another address too?
Your choir should not be left out in what's trending
Sunday mass selections, psalms, and trending songs in your area — straight to your inbox.
Ach hertes Herz by Jacob Regnart — Lyrics
About Ach hertes Herz
Jacob Regnart's secular German madrigal Ach hertes Herz for two sopranos and tenor offers a passionate plea for mercy. The text, a series of direct addresses to a "hard heart," "strong rock," and "impenetrable fortress," implores the beloved to soften their stance and show compassion. The narrator expresses deep suffering, asking who could remain unmoved by their plight and lamenting the potential consequence of being abandoned. The final verse specifically addresses a maiden, warning that if she causes the narrator's death, she will forfeit her own young life. Regnart's setting likely reflects the emotional intensity of the text through its musical phrasing and harmonic language, making it a compelling choice for a skilled vocal ensemble.