Post Description

It's hard to listen to, think about, understand the (Baroque) passion without reference to the two extant examples by Bach. But we must: the Luke Passion by Schütz (1585 - 1672, from the generation before Bach, and completed less than 20 years before Bach's birth) is very different from the latter's St Matthew (BWV 244) and St John (BWV 245) Passions. To appreciate Schütz's conception of the form we really need to set aside all preconceptions about the sound of such music. After all, it was an established 'genre' long before Bach.
That may be the first surprise on listening to this CD… no instruments. Just two soloists and the dozen-strong Ars Nova Copenhagen choir, half of whom also take minor solo roles. Unlike Bach's, this Passion tightly focuses all our attention on the story rather than on embellished reflection. 
Lasting well under an hour, this CD is nicely presented with a useful introductory essay and the text in German and English. The acoustic is immediate, vibrant and appropriately resonant. So set aside preconceptions and listen to Schütz' direct, honest, calm and altogether tidily persuasive Passion.
http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=214778
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