Donald Macleod journeys through Christmas week in the company of Heinrich Schütz.
Donald begins by dipping a toe into the fertile archival territory of Schütz’s own writings, a fascinating window onto the life of the composer. Then we’re to the Striezelmarkt for a pastry and a glass of Glühwein, with a look at Christmas in 17th-century Dresden. Onwards to Venice, where Schütz studies with Gabrieli and hobnobs with Monteverdi. Next, things turn serious, as Schütz is swept up in the convulsions of the 30 Years’ War and its impact is felt on musical life. Finally, Donald looks at the great music of Schütz’s final years, his attempts to retire – and eventually bids farewell with his Schwanengesang.
Music featured:
Cantate Domino canticum novum, SWV 281 O quam tu pulchra es, SWV 265 Wie sehr lieblich und schöne sind doch die Wohnung dein, SWV 181 Habe deine Lust an dem Herren, SWV 311 Concert in Form einer teutschen Begräbnis-Missa, SWV 279 Gedenke deinem Knechte an dein Wort, SWV 485Hodie Christus natus est, SWV 456Warum toben die Heiden, SWV 23Ein Kind ist uns geboren, SWV 302 Verbum caro factum est, SWV 314The Christmas Story, SWV 435Jubilate Deo in chordis et organo, SWV 276Ride la primavera, SWV 7Di marmo siete voi, SWV 17Vasto mar, nel cui seno, SWV 19 Nun lob, mein Seel, den Herren, SWV 41Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen, SWV 29Ich danke dem Herrn von ganzem Herzen, SWV 34 Fili mi, Absalon, SWV 269 In te, Domine, speravi, SWV 259Es steh Gott auf, SWV 356‘O, Herr, hilf’, SWV 402 Syncharma musicum, SWV 49Da pacem, Domine’, SWV 465Veni, Sancte Spiritus, SWV 328O süsser, o freundlicher Herr Jesu Christ, SWV 285Erhöre mich, wenn ich dich rufe, SWV 289Ist Gott für uns, SWV 329 Ich bin eine rufende Stimme, SWV 383Verleih uns Frieden genädiglich, SWV 372Das Wort ward Fleisch, SWV 385Das ist je gewisslich wah, SWV 388 Danket dem Herren, denn er ist freundlich, SWV 45 Auf dem Gebirge, SWV 396 Feget den alten Sauerteig aus, SWV 404Saul, Saul, was verfolgst du mich? SWV 415Komm, heiliger Geist SWV 417 Ich danke dem Herrn von ganzem Herzen, SWV 424 Jauchzet dem Herren, alle Welt (Psalm 100), SWV 493St Matthew Passion, SWV 479 Mein Seele erhebt den Herren, SWV 494Presenter: Donald Macleod
Producer: Chris Barstow for BBC WalesFor full tracklistings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Heinrich Schütz: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0001qgh
And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z