November 2022 marked the 350th anniversary of the death of Heinrich Schütz. In his honor, the Chorwerk Ruhr sang his Musical Exequien and some of his most beautiful motets at RheinVokal 2022. The tonal speech that the father of German baroque developed in these late works is still deeply moving today. In 2016, the Chorwerk Ruhr commissioned a modern counterpoint: the choral scenes “Earth Diver” by Nikolaus Brass. It is about immersing yourself in the existential questions of death and mourning in the end times, sung by one of the best chamber choirs in Europe.
Chorwerk Ruhr
Vanessa Heinisch (theorbo)
Frauke Hess (Violone)
Peter Kofler (organ)
Director: Florian Helgath
Nicholas Brass:
“Earth Diver” – Voices I (excerpt)
Heinrich Schuetz:
Musical Exequien SWV 279-281, funeral music in 3 parts for voices and basso continuo op. 7
Nicholas Brass:
“Earth Diver” – Voices II (excerpt)
Heinrich Schuetz:
“By the waters of Babel” SWV 37
Martin Wistinghausen:
No. 1 “Des WAR’s Letters” and No. 2 “The End of the 1648th Year” from “Tempered Time, Pass Away!”
Heinrich Schuetz:
“Give us peace” SWV 372 from Geistliche Chor-Music op. 11
Martin Wistinghausen:
No. 3 “Transience of Beauty” from “Hard Time, Go Away!”
Heinrich Schuetz:
“Blessed are the dead” SWV 391 from Geistliche Chor-Music op. 11
(Concert on July 30, 2022 in the Basilica of St. Martin, Bingen)
