Brahms wrote three sets of Motets. This Motet, Opus 74, No. 2 composed in the early 1860's is taken from text written by Friedrich Spee (1591-1635), inspired from the Hebrew bible. This Motet is often performed at Advent by Catholic and Protestant church choirs. As with much of Brahms' choral music, there is exceptional harmonic beauty and counterpoint which was influenced greatly by Bach.
Mr. Sauer has done an exceptional job of scoring this work for four part choir of advanced performers.