SCHUTZ
Kleine geistliche Konzerte Op.8 SWV 282-305 & Op.9 SWV 306-337
Weser-Renaissance/Manfred
Cordes
CPO 999 675-2 (3
CDs; 195'
34")
Crotchet
Amazon
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The Little Sacred Concertos (1636 & 1639) are concise little
cantatas, all written by their prolific and industrious composer in a short
period before their publication, each for no more than a few singers, with
modest accompaniment. They were conceived during 'times contrary to the
liberal arts' when finances were stretched with current wartime campaigns.
The texts are biblical, with many Psalms and some German hymns. Each of the
two parts begins with single voices, and builds up to pieces for five voices.
Those for fewer voices with continuo deal with the texts in an intensive
fashion, the larger ones including both the 'oratorio style', invented to
present a speech in music and also motet-like passages.
The Bremen forces, with 11 singers and a dozen instrumentalists who ring
the changes on violins, viola da gamba, dulcian, chitarrone, harp, harpsichord
and positive organ, were sympathetically recorded in Bassum during a fortnight
in February 1999. There are charts detailing singers, players and their
instruments carefully, but to follow those and the texts means a lot of page
turning.
It is delightful music but best taken in small sessions, ideally one CD at
a time with a break for refreshment halfway, we found. As it should be easy
to assemble suitable forces, the Kleine geistliche Konzerte ought
to be far better known. A very successful project, which will give a lot
of pleasure.
Reviewer
Peter Grahame Woolf
