Customer Reviews

Selected Motets

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I highly recommend this fine recording of some Schutz masterpieces, wonderfully organized to develop aspirations toward heaven. The organization is compelling, in that Craig Smith started with the biblical text from Philippians 3: 20,21, "For us our homeland is in heaven, and from heaven comes the Savior we are waiting for, the Lord Jesus Christ . . ." and traces a spiritual journey of reflection backwards to the means of salvation - Christ's passion, focused on the cross. The program ends with wonder and thanks on the part of the believer, as well as acceptance of the gift, coming full circle to eternity, where ". . . I will sing of Thy mercy." The earth-death of the believer, encompassed in Psalm 116 and a Responsory for the Dead, is swallowed up in the life offered by Christ's salvation. Meditation on the text sequence alone, is rewarding.

Add to that the voices of the Chorus of Emmanuel Music, which are as clear as English choir boys in a Cathedral, and well recorded, offering intensely dramtic and musical interpretations, and you have a Schutz recoding that is set off from many of its peers.

It should also be noted for the interest of those following the recording career of the sorely missed Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, that she is listed in the soprano section of the chorus, of which she was still a member when the recording was made in December 1990 and February 1991. According to an on-line article, the Schutz Psalm 116 was her favorite piece of music. It was sung by the Chorus of Emmanuel Music at the church, during a memorial for her, in which many of her musical colleagues participated.

Even if you have numerous Schutz motet recordings, this one is sure to please, and I strongly recommend that you secure one if you can. Unfortunately it is out of print.