Psalms of David Part 2 SWV 31-37 (Full Score, hardback)

Schutz Psalms of David Part 2 SWV 31-37 (Full Score, hardback)

"Wohl dem Menschen, der sich auf dich verlässt!“ – „Psalmen Davids“ (Psalms of David), SWV 22-47

The "Psalms of David" is a collection of works that appeared in Dresden in 1619, penned by the then 33-year-old court Kapellmeister Heinrich Schütz. This collection op. 2 was his first widely received publication and contained 26 individual works assembled by him, of which most have the Old Testament Book of Psalms as their textual basis. The variety and splendour of these compositions were unique at the time and remain part of Schütz's core repertoire to the present day.

The Old Testament psalms are an independent part of the Bible and address the relationship between the chosen people of Israel and their God. From these 150 poems, Schütz chose those which could be adapted well into music, particularly in the context of polychoral writing. His selection often contains statements that are rich in imagery, dramaturgically charged and of central theological importance. The verse structure of the Psalms is excellently suited to the principle of multiple choirs which Schütz became acquainted with in Italy and brought to its musical highpoint. The "Psalms of David" were not the first works of this kind but without doubt the most outstanding examples in German to date: several groups - usually two four-part choirs - literally face each other and recite the psalm text. In doing so, they chant, hold dialogues and narrate, interrupt each other, talk persuasively or echo one other or even pray in unison. Musically, Schütz takes several paths; ranging from traditional motet-like movements through modern concertante sections to purely soloistic passages, whereby the most vivid possible reference is always made to the psalm text. The focus is on a splendid and contrasting sound effect, which was acoustically cultivated in Italy by means of positioning multiple choirs in different places in a given space. Up until today, composers have used this polychoral writing primarily for festive occasions.
  
In addition to the frequently performed psalms, we would like to draw particular attention to those that are heard less frequently but are no less impressive. These include "Ist nicht Ephraim mein teurer Sohn" SWV 40, "Nun lob, mein Seel, den Herren" SWV 41 or "Wohl dem, der den Herren fürchtet" SWV 44. 

- New Schütz Edition Volume 24