Product Description

Psalmen Davids, a collection of German settings of Psalms for use in Lutheran churches, was only Schtz's first publication of sacred music, but it made him famous all over Germany. The influence of the composer's teacher Gabrieli is evident throughout the magnificent, lavishly scored music (double choir with soloists, strings, and brass in various combinations), yet Schtz pays a Monteverdian attention and respect to his texts. That very respect can make some of the simpler Psalm-settings for two SATB choirs tedious for non-German-speakers, but the pieces with substantial parts for soloists and instruments are a joy--as are the performances here. (The one-voice-per-part performance by on Harmonia Mundi, while smaller-scale, has subtlety and grace that transcend language barriers.)