Search - Heinrich Schutz, Members of the Dresden Staatskapelle :: Heinrich Schütz: Doppelchörige Motetten

Excellent expression of faith

04/10/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A fan in London rates this recording as "long in the tooth", which I consider unfortunate. This highlights the differences between those on one side who emphasize the style period versus those of us who emphasize other elements and view the style period as a lesser element. Mauersberger imparts to this recording a sense of strength essential to good German music sometimes lacking in "authentic" performances, and also captures the beauty and expressiveness that are part of the Lutheran worship. As always, Mauersberger makes the biblical texts come alive, which is consistent with the Lutheran emphasis on hearing the word ("ich bin die Auferstehung und das Leben" "Strafe mich nicht"). Mauersberger also gives an element to Schütz that most others would be hard-pressed to match of having a solid faith to carry on through major upheavals (Schütz the 30 Years War; Mauersberger the Nazis, WW2 and then the Communists). I usually do not care for boy choirs since they cannot do many things adult voices can, but the fact that I can listen to and enjoy the Dresden Kreuzchor all day says something quite important. If you want a performance that emphasizes period practices, you might want to consider another recording, but if you want an expression of worship in the Lutheran church, you would be hard-pressed to beat Mauersberger and the Dresden Kreuzchor. I hope Berlin Classics keeps releasing more of these. My only regret on this recording (as well as others of Schütz by Mauersberger) is that Berlin Classics does offer an English translation, which makes it harder for me to recommend it for my friends who don't know German"

Getting a bit long in the tooth

09/16/1998

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I hate to give only one star to a recording that in its day was something special, and Berlin Classics are doing us all a favour in digitally remastering Mauersberger's Schutz. For example the only readily available version of the St. Luke Passion is Mauersberger's 1968 recording with Peter Schreier as the Evangelist and Theo Adam as Jesus (BC 0092072). But even at mid-price there is little reason to get excited about another reissued selection from Psalms of David. Summerly's excellent 1995 super-budget recording on Naxos (8.553044), or Bernius' complete set on DHM, and no doubt the forthcoming Junghanel set as well, are all a better way to get to know Schutz' most famous opus."