Heinrich Schütz: Doppelchörige Motetten

On this CD:

1. Psalm 121 ("Ich hebe meine Augen auf zu den Bergen"), for double chorus & continuo (Psalms of David), SWV 31 (Op. 2)
Composed by Heinrich Schutz

2. Nun lob, mein Seel, den Herren, for double chorus, instrumental choir(s) & continuo, SWV 41 (Op. 2)
Composed by Heinrich Schutz

3. Komm, heiliger Geist, Herre Gott, SWV 417
Composed by Heinrich Schutz
Performed by Dresden Staatskapelle [members of]

4. Machet die Tore weit, for chorus, SWV Anh 8
Composed by Heinrich Schutz

5. Ich bin die Auferstehung und das Leben, for soloists, SWV 464
Composed by Heinrich Schutz

6. Psalm 6 ("Ach Herr, straf mich nicht"), for double chorus & continuo (Psalms of David), SWV 24 (Op. 2)
Composed by Heinrich Schutz

7. Meine Seele erhebt den Herren, SWV 494 ("German Magnificat")
Composed by Heinrich Schutz

Customer Reviews:

Excellent expression of faith.......1999-04-10

A fan in London rates this recording as "long in the tooth", which I consider unfortunate. This highlights the differences between those on one side who emphasize the style period versus those of us who emphasize other elements and view the style period as a lesser element. Mauersberger imparts to this recording a sense of strength essential to good German music sometimes lacking in "authentic" performances, and also captures the beauty and expressiveness that are part of the Lutheran worship. As always, Mauersberger makes the biblical texts come alive, which is consistent with the Lutheran emphasis on hearing the word ("ich bin die Auferstehung und das Leben" "Strafe mich nicht"). Mauersberger also gives an element to Schütz that most others would be hard-pressed to match of having a solid faith to carry on through major upheavals (Schütz the 30 Years War; Mauersberger the Nazis, WW2 and then the Communists). I usually do not care for boy choirs since they cannot do many things adult voices can, but the fact that I can listen to and enjoy the Dresden Kreuzchor all day says something quite important. If you want a performance that emphasizes period practices, you might want to consider another recording, but if you want an expression of worship in the Lutheran church, you would be hard-pressed to beat Mauersberger and the Dresden Kreuzchor. I hope Berlin Classics keeps releasing more of these. My only regret on this recording (as well as others of Schütz by Mauersberger) is that Berlin Classics does offer an English translation, which makes it harder for me to recommend it for my friends who don't know German

Getting a bit long in the tooth.......1998-09-16

I hate to give only one star to a recording that in its day was something special, and Berlin Classics are doing us all a favour in digitally remastering Mauersberger's Schutz. For example the only readily available version of the St. Luke Passion is Mauersberger's 1968 recording with Peter Schreier as the Evangelist and Theo Adam as Jesus (BC 0092072). But even at mid-price there is little reason to get excited about another reissued selection from Psalms of David. Summerly's excellent 1995 super-budget recording on Naxos (8.553044), or Bernius' complete set on DHM, and no doubt the forthcoming Junghanel set as well, are all a better way to get to know Schutz' most famous opus.

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