German 17th-Century Church Music

Seventeenth-century church music written for Lutheran churches in Germany was largely influenced by the highly fashionable music emerging from Italy at the time. In 1620 composers such as Heinrich Schütz and Michael Praetorius experimented with a new Italian style that used small combinations of solo voices and obbligato instruments, allowing solo singers to show off their virtuosity and expressive abilities.

The famous 'Lamento', Ach, dass ich Wassers gnug hätte in meinem Haupte, for alto, violin solo, four-part strings and continuo is attributed to Heinrich Bach, but a lost copy in the Bach family archive (once owned by JS Bach) is ascribed to Johann Christoph Bach, this is more convincing given the highly sophisticated and expressive style of the music which is similar to his other works.



'For its combination of excitingly new repertoire and luminous instrumental textures this CD is a must-have for anyone who wants to understand the early baroque' (Early Music Quarterly)

'An auspicious solo debut for Robin Blaze and another feather in the cap of The Parley of Instruments' (Classical Express)

' These are exemplary performances of this wonderful repertoire … It is probably unnecessary to recommend the disc; but, if you haven't bought it, hasten to your nearest CD shop' (Early Music Review)

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dawniej CDA 67079 / Recording details: September 1998; St Jude-on-the-Hill, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, United Kingdom; Produced by Martin Compton; Engineered by Antony Howell & Julian Millard; Release date: May 2008;