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Editorial Reviews

This 1971 recording of Heinrich Schütz's "Auferstehungshistorie (Story of the Resurrection), SWV 50," came at the beginning of widespread efforts to investigate and perform the Baroque repertory beyond a few landmarks. The instrumental group Capella Fidicinia and the Dresdner Kreuzchor benefited from "Auffühurungspraktische Beratung" -- performance-practice consulting -- which apparently helped out primarily with the instrumentation and ornamentation. The collection of viols, cornett, trombone, and positive organ heard here represents an early attempt to create an authentic sound for Schütz, and the balance between the instruments and the too-large choir is accurate enough. The marquee name is tenor Peter Schreier, whose presence on an East German recording from the early '70s is unusual. He has a compelling dramatic presence in the text-heavy role of the Evangelist, and fans of this singer may welcome a reissue that features the tenor confidently and effectively handling unfamiliar repertory. The problems come with the other soloists, who have to deal with a setting that has kept the work from being one of Schütz's most popular. It's a curious mixture of Schütz's compressed late style with archaic elements like the two-part polyphonic settings of the words of Christ. The singers, especially the Three Wives, apply too much vibrato to the music and don't seem connected to what they're singing about. There are episodes of pitch insecurity throughout, whereas Schreier, whom you might expect to be more operatic, marvelously grasps the dimension of the music and the uncannily conversational quality of Schütz's text-setting. The result is a performance of interest to Schreier fans, but for the buyer who's after the work there are more recent recordings that will serve better. The text, based on the Gospels, is given in its entirety in German and English. James Manheim, All Music Guide

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