Distler, "Der Gärtner," third version

Hugo Distler's Opus 19 is a large collection of a cappella songs to texts by Eduard Mörike. Several of the texts were set in multiple versions, including "Der Gärtner." I am discussing the third version, which is for three-part men's chorus. Because Distler's music is under copyright, I reproduce only the opening two measures, with an annotation, and then offer the entirety of my analysis.

The uncertainty of the tonal basis of the opening seems to dissipate by bars 4-5, with a secure cadence to Bb. Everything thereafter, however, is in F, including the close. Thus the possible Bb: ^3 at the beginning turns out to be F: ^6. Because the tonal design is reminiscent of the first strain of many small binary forms -- as Bb: I-V -- Distler succeeds in balancing the two tonalities beautifully.

Continuation of the analysis graph: