Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Most music lovers at some time or another have managed to muddle the many and various members of the Bach family and now I can add the name Praetorius to the mix. Although lesser known than his namesake Michael, Hieronymus Praetorius was part of a German musical dynasty, and as organist at Hamburg's Jacobikirche he was one of the city's most important cultural figures. He was born in 1560 and succeeded his father Jacob as Organist at the Jacobkirche in 1586 where he remained for the rest of his working life while three of his sons also became professional musicians. It is remarkable that his Mass for Holy Week, the 'Missa Tulerunt Dominum Meum', has until now remained unrecorded. Here, some 400 years after it was first performed, Siglo de Oro present it as it might have been heard in 17th century Hamburg, weaving in motets for Easter from some of Praetorius's most gifted contemporaries. Bavarian Hans Leo Hassler (1564-1612), Netherlander Orlande de Lassus (1532-1594), Venetian Andrea Gabrieli (c. 1533-1585) and the itinerant Jacob Handl (1550-1591) - each lends a motet to complement the unfolding liturgical journey, from the quiet solemnity of Maundy Thursday through to the exultant joy of Easter Day. The programme has a whole fits together very nicely and the singing by the professional choir Siglo de Oro under Patrick Allies is first class. However, even though we hear Praetorius and four others I would be hard pressed to tell them apart. This may be a good thing, showing that the different compositions all belong together in the hypothetical Easter liturgy, or you may find it a little monotonous. The music is, of course, of its time and place and, in my opinion, the music of Protestant Germany does not take off until after Johann Sebastian Bach. So while some may find this project of interest and few could doubt the professionalism of the performance it may be just too specialized for the general listener.

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.

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