Schutz: Musicalische Exequien

Album cover art for upc 5400439003118
Label: Ricercar
Catalog: RIC311
Format: CD

Vox Luminis; Lionel Meunier, direction

Heinrich Schütz
1. Herr nun lässest du deinen Diener in Friede fahen, SWV 432
2. Ich bin die Auferstehung und das Leben, SWV 464
3. Herr nun lässest du deinen Diener in Friede fahen, SWV 433
4. Das ist je gewißlich wahr, SWV 277
5. Wir glauben all an einen Gott (S. SCHEIDT) Musicalische Exequien, SWV 279
Concert in Form einer teutschen Begräbnis-Missa
6. - 11. I: Nakket bin ich
12. - 30 II: Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt
31. III: Herr wenn ich nur dich habe, SWV 280
32. IV: Herr nun lässest du deinen Diener in Friede fahren, SWV 281

Gramophone Award Winner 2012 - Recording of the Year!
Gramophone Award Winner 2012 - Baroque Vocal
With the Thirty Years' War raging around them, Lutherans considered death to be the true fulfilment of their earthly life. Prince Heinrich von Reuss organised all the details of his funeral in advance, from the music that would be sung - to be composed and then performed by Heinrich Schütz during the funeral ceremony - to the coffin itself. Our programme includes not only the renowned Musicalische Exequien but also other funeral motets by Schütz, one of which was composed on the death of his friend Johann Hermann Schein.
After the success of their CD of works by Samuel Scheidt (RIC 301), Vox Luminis now take up the challenge of one of Schütz's greatest sacred works. It should be noted that the CD cover art is a photograph of a section of the coffin that Reuss himself had ordered; Prince Heinrich XIII Reuss has most generously allowed its use by Ricercar for this recording. The coffin is made of solid copper; its richly decorated exterior is studded with cartouches that contain liturgical texts selected by the deceased prince.

Price: $27.98