Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Heinrich Schütz (1585-1672) was the most important German composer of his generation, a pupil of Gabrieli in Venice and later of Monteverdi. He worked for various German and Danish noble families, often in difficult circumstances due to the upheavals caused by the Thirty Years War. Schütz composed the 'Musikalische Exequien' (SWV 279-281) for the funeral of his patron Prince Heinrich. Of the three parts, which were to be performed during three different sections of the funeral service; the first, in the form of a sacred concerto for choir and soloists, is based on a collation of numerous Biblical passages which, in accordance with the instructions given by the deceased, were to be recited at the coffin which the deceased himself had designed. This part is followed by a motet for double choir based on the text of a sermon ("Herr, wenn ich nur dich habe"), and at the conclusion of the hymn of praise to Simeon ("Herr, nun lässest du deinen Diener in Frieden fahren"), a choir apart from the main choir intones "Selig sind die Toten" from heaven, so to speak. With this composition Schütz created one of the most artistic and heartfelt works of mourning ever written. For this recording, Sigiswald Kuijken has kept things simple with the appropriately named La Petite Bande. The singing is first rate and the audio quality excellent and collectors of the music of Heinrich Schütz will treasure this. However for those new to the composer there are probably better starting places as a quick search on this website will demonstrate.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.