The Schwanengesang of Heinrich Schütz

September 30, 2020, 10:00 pm

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BaroqueBefore 20-10
Erfurt, woodcut from the Nuremberg Chronicle, 1493

Known as the Father of German Music, Heinrich Schütz had a profound influence on generations of composers who followed. Tonight, we hear his final opus, his Schwanengesang, if you will: a monumental setting of all 176 verses of Psalm 119, plus Psalm 100, and his fourth and final setting of the Deutsches Magnificat. The RIAS Chamber Chorus, Capella de la Torre, Gera’s Goethe-Gymnasium Chorus, and soloists interpose sections of Psalm 119 with works of Monteverdi, Bassano, and Gabrieli.

Tonight’s program was recorded live in concert October 4, 2019 during the Heinrich Schütz Music Festival, held in Gera, Germany. WFMT’s membership in the European Broadcasting Union makes it possible to offer this week’s Baroque&Before as a stream for 30 days following the broadcast. A blue “Listen” button will appear when the stream is accessible.

Playlist

Giovanni Gabrieli (ca 1554-57-1612)
Sacrae symphoniae II
Magnificat a 14″

Heinrich Schütz (1585-1672)
Schwanengesang, Psalm 100
– Jauchzet dem Herrn alle Welt, SWV 493

Michael Praetorius (ca 1571-1621)
Exsultemus adiutori nostro a 6

Heinrich Schütz
Schwanengesang, Psalm 119
– Aleph et Beth: Tertii Toni – Wohl denen, die ohne Wandel leben, SWV 482
– Gimel et Daleth: Tertii Toni – Tue wohl deinem Knechte, SWV 483
– He et Vau: Secundi Toni – Zeige mir Herr den Weg deiner Rechte, SWV 484
– Dsain et Chet: Octavi Toni – Gedenke deinem Knecht an dein Wort, SWV 485

Giovanni Bassano (ca 1560-1617)
Salvator mundi a 5

Heinrich Schütz
Schwanengesang, Psalm 119
– Thet et Jod: Du tust Guts deinem Knechte, SWV 486
– Kaph und Lamed: Primi Toni – Meine Seele verlanget nach deinem Heil SWV 487
– Mem und Nun: Secundi Toni – Wie hab ich deine Gesetze so lieb SWV 488

Michael Praetorius
Passamezzo a 6

Schwanengesang, Psalm 119
– Samech et Aiin: Sexti Toni – Ich hasse die Flattergeister, SWV 489
– Pe et Zade: Quarti Toni – Deine Zeugnisse sind wunderbarlich, SWV 490
– Koph et Resch: Quinti Toni – Ich rufe von ganzem Herzen, SWV 491
– Schin et Thau: Noni Toni – Dir Fürsten verfolgen mich ohne Ursach, SWV 492

Giovanni Bassano (ca 1560-1617)
Deus qui beatum Marcum

Schwanengesang, Deutsches Magnificat
– Decimi Toni, Meine Seele erhebet den Herren, SWV 494

ARTISTS
RIAS Chamber Chorus, Berlin; Justin Doyle, conductor
Capella de la Torre; Katharina Bäuml, conductor
Chorus of Goethe-Gymnasium/Rutheneum seit 1608, Gera; Christian Frank, conductor
Stephanie Petitlaurent, soprano; Waltraud Heinrich, contralto; Jörg Genslein, tenor; Andrew Redmond, bass