Magnificat - Schütz: Cantiones sacrae - The Sunday Times

From 1625, the 40 Latin motets of Schütz’s Cantiones sacrae might seem like modest devotional pieces, devoid of Monteverdi’s expressive melodic freedoms and affecting a rather learned contrapuntal style. Yet with their imaginative textures, arresting harmonies and often hair-raising challenges to the singers’ techniques, these pieces show a master at work. Cave’s six singers and five continuo players give readings of piercing clarity and impassioned conviction.