Heinrich Schütz: Musikalische Exequien

Featuring

Harry Christophers
Libby Crabtree
Caroline Trevor
Matthew Vine
Nicolas Robertson
Simon Birchall

The Sixteen
Heinrich Schütz

Did you know?

1/7

Composition History

The Deutsches Magnificat is Schütz's last work, written in 1671, and is described in one manuscript source as his 'finale and swansong'.

Historical Context

Schütz's middle period of composition was marked by minimalism due to the complete breakdown of music at the Court in Dresden and throughout Protestant Saxony during the Thirty Years War (1618-48).

Composer Biography

Heinrich Schütz, the composer, is known as 'the father of German music' and his works fall into three identifiable periods.

Composition History

The Musikalische Exequien, meaning 'Funeral Music', was first performed at the funeral of aristocrat Heinrich Posthumus Reuß in February 1636, with texts chosen in advance by the prince.

Performer Biography

The Sixteen, led by founder Harry Christophers, is recognized as one of the world's greatest vocal ensembles, with a reputation for early English polyphony, Renaissance masterpieces, and 20th-century music.

Compositional Technique

The third part of Musikalische Exequien features three voices representing two seraphs and the blessed spirit of the departed, floating in imitation over the Nunc dimittis sung by the main choir.

Composition History

Prince Heinrich Posthumus Reuß, for whom the Musikalische Exequien was written, was a keen singer and Schütz added special bass parts for him to participate in performances during his lifetime.