Search - Heinrich Schutz, Charles Lecocq, Dresden Kreuzchor :: Heinrich Schütz: Weihnachtliche Chormusik

Mauersberger good as always

06/28/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Rudolf Mauersberger always does well with Heinrich Schütz, at least if you listen to it from a perspective of Lutheran worship. Those who call for more "Weihnachtsmusic" would do well to research the seasons of the liturgical church more closely. A substantial part of the CD is devoted to Advent music (the 4 weeks before Christmas emphasizing the preparation of our hearts for the Savior). The Advent section also has 2 settings of the Magnificat (often associated with Christmas), one in Latin and one in German. The two things I would want Berlin Classics to do is less duplication as well as having the English translation (which would enable me to recommend it to my friends who do not understand German)."

Better modern recordings available

10/02/1998

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Mauersberger (d. 1971) was a great advocate of Schutz' music and it is interesting to listen to this pre-authentic performance style to compare with the more recent Cordes (CPO) and Hennig (EMI) versions of Schutz Opus 11 - both of which have the advantage of digital sound, as well as completeness (2CD). The title "weihnachtliche" on the CD is a bit of a marketing ploy, although at least "Ein Kind ist uns geboren" has a Christmas theme. If you want Christmas music pick up the Parrott, Bernius or Summerly versions of Schutz' Christmas Story."