Schütz: Musikalische Exequien, Op. 7, SWV 279-281

KHCD-2010-045DL (STEREO) - Schütz: Musikalische Exequien, Op. 7, SWV 279-281 - Westphalian Choir/Wilhelm Ehmann - Heu mihi, Domine SWV 65/ Cantate Domino, canticum novum SWV 81 - Niedersachsischer Singkreis Hannover/Willi Trader - The Musickalische Exequien or "Musical Obsequies" was composed during the desolation of the Thirty Years War, is a masterpiece of Schütz's art at its fullest maturity. It was commissioned by an admirer of the composer, the Saxon prince Heinrich Posthumus of Reuss, who planned for it to be his own funeral music (as it was, in 1635). This recorded performance, from a Vanguard Everyman disc, follows Schütz's intentions regarding the total performance group, and general early Baroque performance practice as far as the use of instrumentalists. Ehmann leads a very sympathetic, well-blended Westphalian Choir, soloists, and original Baroque instrument ensemble. Two Motets, from a Nonesuch sampler LP of 1965, compliment the longer work.