Hillier, Ars Nova Copenhagen, Concerto Copenhagen - Heinrich Schutz: Complete Narrative Works (2011)

This box set presents the complete narrative works (Historiae) of Heinrich Schütz (1585-1672) in the acclaimed new recordings by Ars Nova Copenhagen conducted by Paul Hillier. The engaging account of the six stories of Christmas, Passion and Resurrection in Schütz’ sublime Baroque settings is presented along with authoritative notes and the conductor’s own commentary on the works, which rank among the finest pieces of the 17th Century.

Composer: Heinrich Schütz
Performer: Else Torp, Johan Linderoth, Adam Riis, Jakob Bloch Jespersen, …
Conductor: Paul Hillier
Orchestra/Ensemble: Ars Nova Copenhagen, Concerto Copenhagen, Sirius Viols, …

Reviews: As all four of the discs in this set have been reviewed in these pages before, this notice accordingly provides only a brief summary. J. F. Weber discussed the style="font-style:italic">Lukas-Passion in Fanfare 33:2, the Weihnachtshistorie and Auferstehungshistorie (the Nativity and Resurrection narratives) in 33:5, and the Matthäus-Passion in 35:1, while Ronald E. Grames and I both covered Die sieben Worte and the Johannes-Passion in 34:2. In all instances the reviews were enthusiastic and offered unqualified endorsements of these performances as the recordings of choice for these works; now having the opportunity to hear them all, I heartily re-affirm that collective judgment. Whereas too often the passion settings of Heinrich Schütz, dominated by long passages of unadorned solo recitative, seem relatively dry and come off as the least interesting items in his oeuvre , Hillier and his forces bring them to life with arresting intensity, with the occasional choral passages for the turba having a luminous richness I have never heard in other versions. Jakob Bloch Jespersen is the exemplary reciter of the role of Jesus in each of the three passions, as well as the Herod in the Weihnachtshistorie . For the roles of the evangelists in the passion narratives, Hillier deliberately chose a different tenor to portray each one—Johan Linderoth as Luke, Adam Riis as John, and Julian Podger as Matthew—while Riis is also the Evangelist for the Weihnachtshistorie and Linderoth for the Auferstehungshistorie . All three are likewise able singers, and Else Torp effectively rounds out the list of major soloists as the Angel in the Weihnachtshistorie . Torp, Jespersen, and various ensemble singers assume comprimario roles in the various works; the three passions are sung a cappella , whereas the other three compositions feature supporting instrumentalists of the Concerto Copenhagen and the Sirius Viols, who for their part turn in first-rate playing. Whereas the original CDs sold for full price at about $18 each, this four-disc set retails for only about $28; that is competitive in price and superior in quality to the Brilliant Classics set led by Matteo Messori, which appears to be out of print in any case. The one disadvantage incurred for this discounted price is that the vocal texts must be downloaded from Dacapo’s website, though the enclosed booklet still retains full program notes and detailed specifications for each performance. This set is an essential acquisition for anyone interested in sacred music and the early Baroque; urgently recommended.

Tracklisting:

Disc: 1
1. St. Luke Passion, for soprano, alto, 3 tenors, 2 basses & chorus, SWV 480 (attributed): Eingang
2. St. Luke Passion, for soprano, alto, 3 tenors, 2 basses & chorus, SWV 480 (attributed): Es war aber nahe das Fest der süßen Brot
3. St. Luke Passion, for soprano, alto, 3 tenors, 2 basses & chorus, SWV 480 (attributed): Und er ging hinaus nach seiner Gewohnheit
4. St. Luke Passion, for soprano, alto, 3 tenors, 2 basses & chorus, SWV 480 (attributed): Die Männer aber, die da Jesum hielten
5. St. Luke Passion, for soprano, alto, 3 tenors, 2 basses & chorus, SWV 480 (attributed): Und der ganze Haufe stund ab
6. St. Luke Passion, for soprano, alto, 3 tenors, 2 basses & chorus, SWV 480 (attributed): Aber sie lagen ihm an mit großen Geschrei
7. St. Luke Passion, for soprano, alto, 3 tenors, 2 basses & chorus, SWV 480 (attributed): Da aber der Hauptmann sahe
8. St. Luke Passion, for soprano, alto, 3 tenors, 2 basses & chorus, SWV 480 (attributed): Beschluß



Disc: 2
1. Die Geburt unsers Herren Jesu Christi, for chorus, instruments & continuo, SWV 435: Eingang
2. Die Geburt unsers Herren Jesu Christi, for chorus, instruments & continuo, SWV 435: Evangelist
3. Die Geburt unsers Herren Jesu Christi, for chorus, instruments & continuo, SWV 435: Intermedium 1. Der engel zu den Hirten auf dem Fe
4. Die Geburt unsers Herren Jesu Christi, for chorus, instruments & continuo, SWV 435: Evangelist
5. Die Geburt unsers Herren Jesu Christi, for chorus, instruments & continuo, SWV 435: Intermedium 2. Die Menge der Engel
6. Die Geburt unsers Herren Jesu Christi, for chorus, instruments & continuo, SWV 435: Evangelist
7. Die Geburt unsers Herren Jesu Christi, for chorus, instruments & continuo, SWV 435: Intermedium 3. Die Hirten auf dem Felde
8. Die Geburt unsers Herren Jesu Christi, for chorus, instruments & continuo, SWV 435: Evangelist
9. Die Geburt unsers Herren Jesu Christi, for chorus, instruments & continuo, SWV 435: Intermedium 4. Die Weisen aus Morgenlande
10. Die Geburt unsers Herren Jesu Christi, for chorus, instruments & continuo, SWV 435: Evangelist
11. Die Geburt unsers Herren Jesu Christi, for chorus, instruments & continuo, SWV 435: Intermedium 5. Hohepriester und Schriftgelehrte
12. Die Geburt unsers Herren Jesu Christi, for chorus, instruments & continuo, SWV 435: Evangelist
13. Die Geburt unsers Herren Jesu Christi, for chorus, instruments & continuo, SWV 435: Intermedium 6. Herodes
14. Die Geburt unsers Herren Jesu Christi, for chorus, instruments & continuo, SWV 435: Evangelist
15. Die Geburt unsers Herren Jesu Christi, for chorus, instruments & continuo, SWV 435: Intermedium 7. Der Engel zu Joseph
16. Die Geburt unsers Herren Jesu Christi, for chorus, instruments & continuo, SWV 435: Evangelist
17. Die Geburt unsers Herren Jesu Christi, for chorus, instruments & continuo, SWV 435: Intermedium 8. Der Engel zu Joseph
18. Die Geburt unsers Herren Jesu Christi, for chorus, instruments & continuo, SWV 435: Evangelist
19. Die Geburt unsers Herren Jesu Christi, for chorus, instruments & continuo, SWV 435: Der Beschluss
20. Die Auferstehung unsres Herren Jesu Christi, for 3 sopranos, 2 altos, 3 tenors, 2 basses, 4 viols & continuo, SWV 50 (Op. 3): Introit
21. Die Auferstehung unsres Herren Jesu Christi, for 3 sopranos, 2 altos, 3 tenors, 2 basses, 4 viols & continuo, SWV 50 (Op. 3): Der Ost
22. Die Auferstehung unsres Herren Jesu Christi, for 3 sopranos, 2 altos, 3 tenors, 2 basses, 4 viols & continuo, SWV 50 (Op. 3): Jesus e
23. Die Auferstehung unsres Herren Jesu Christi, for 3 sopranos, 2 altos, 3 tenors, 2 basses, 4 viols & continuo, SWV 50 (Op. 3): Der Jün
24. Die Auferstehung unsres Herren Jesu Christi, for 3 sopranos, 2 altos, 3 tenors, 2 basses, 4 viols & continuo, SWV 50 (Op. 3): Jesus e
25. Die Auferstehung unsres Herren Jesu Christi, for 3 sopranos, 2 altos, 3 tenors, 2 basses, 4 viols & continuo, SWV 50 (Op. 3): Rat der
26. Die Auferstehung unsres Herren Jesu Christi, for 3 sopranos, 2 altos, 3 tenors, 2 basses, 4 viols & continuo, SWV 50 (Op. 3): Jesus e
27. Die Auferstehung unsres Herren Jesu Christi, for 3 sopranos, 2 altos, 3 tenors, 2 basses, 4 viols & continuo, SWV 50 (Op. 3): Jesus e
28. Die Auferstehung unsres Herren Jesu Christi, for 3 sopranos, 2 altos, 3 tenors, 2 basses, 4 viols & continuo, SWV 50 (Op. 3): Der Sen
29. Die Auferstehung unsres Herren Jesu Christi, for 3 sopranos, 2 altos, 3 tenors, 2 basses, 4 viols & continuo, SWV 50 (Op. 3): Conslus



Disc: 3
1. Die sieben Worte unsers lieben Erlösers und Seeligmachers Jesu Christi, for soloists, 5 instruments & continuo, SWV 478: Introitus
2. Die sieben Worte unsers lieben Erlösers und Seeligmachers Jesu Christi, for soloists, 5 instruments & continuo, SWV 478: Symphonia
3. Die sieben Worte unsers lieben Erlösers und Seeligmachers Jesu Christi, for soloists, 5 instruments & continuo, SWV 478: Und us wer u
4. Die sieben Worte unsers lieben Erlösers und Seeligmachers Jesu Christi, for soloists, 5 instruments & continuo, SWV 478: Es stund abe
5. Die sieben Worte unsers lieben Erlösers und Seeligmachers Jesu Christi, for soloists, 5 instruments & continuo, SWV 478: Aber der Übe
6. Die sieben Worte unsers lieben Erlösers und Seeligmachers Jesu Christi, for soloists, 5 instruments & continuo, SWV 478: Und um die n
7. Die sieben Worte unsers lieben Erlösers und Seeligmachers Jesu Christi, for soloists, 5 instruments & continuo, SWV 478: darnach, als
8. Die sieben Worte unsers lieben Erlösers und Seeligmachers Jesu Christi, for soloists, 5 instruments & continuo, SWV 478: Und einer au
9. Die sieben Worte unsers lieben Erlösers und Seeligmachers Jesu Christi, for soloists, 5 instruments & continuo, SWV 478: Und abermal
10. Die sieben Worte unsers lieben Erlösers und Seeligmachers Jesu Christi, for soloists, 5 instruments & continuo, SWV 478: Symphonia
11. Die sieben Worte unsers lieben Erlösers und Seeligmachers Jesu Christi, for soloists, 5 instruments & continuo, SWV 478: Conclusio
12. St. John Passion for soprano, 3 tenors, 2 basses & chorus, SWV 481: Eingang
13. St. John Passion for soprano, 3 tenors, 2 basses & chorus, SWV 481: Da Jesus solches geredet hatte
14. St. John Passion for soprano, 3 tenors, 2 basses & chorus, SWV 481: Die Schar aber und der Oberthauptmann
15. St. John Passion for soprano, 3 tenors, 2 basses & chorus, SWV 481: Da fürten sie Jesum von Kaipha
16. St. John Passion for soprano, 3 tenors, 2 basses & chorus, SWV 481: Da nahm Pilatus Jesum
17. St. John Passion for soprano, 3 tenors, 2 basses & chorus, SWV 481: Da ihn die Hohenpriester und die Diener sahen
18. St. John Passion for soprano, 3 tenors, 2 basses & chorus, SWV 481: Sie nahmen aber Jesum
19. St. John Passion for soprano, 3 tenors, 2 basses & chorus, SWV 481: Beschluss



Disc: 4
1. St. Matthew Passion for 2 sopranos, alto, 3 tenors, 2 basses & chorus, SWV 479: Introitus
2. St. Matthew Passion for 2 sopranos, alto, 3 tenors, 2 basses & chorus, SWV 479: Und es begab sich, da Jesus alle diese Rede vollendet
3. St. Matthew Passion for 2 sopranos, alto, 3 tenors, 2 basses & chorus, SWV 479: Da kam Jesus mit ihnen zu einem Hofe, der hieß Gethse
4. St. Matthew Passion for 2 sopranos, alto, 3 tenors, 2 basses & chorus, SWV 479: Die aber Jesum gegriffen hatten
5. St. Matthew Passion for 2 sopranos, alto, 3 tenors, 2 basses & chorus, SWV 479: Petrus aber saß draußen im Palast
6. St. Matthew Passion for 2 sopranos, alto, 3 tenors, 2 basses & chorus, SWV 479: Und da sie ihn verspottet hatten
7. St. Matthew Passion for 2 sopranos, alto, 3 tenors, 2 basses & chorus, SWV 479: Und am Abend kam ein reicher Mann von Arimathia
8. St. Matthew Passion for 2 sopranos, alto, 3 tenors, 2 basses & chorus, SWV 479: Beschluß




Thanks to the original releaser