Heinrich Schutz (1585-1672)
Was the greatest German composer before J. S. Bach.
Evidence of his importance is the oft-repeated designation of Schutz as
the
father of German music. He was the composer of the first
German opera, "Daphne." His contacts with Italian music of
the late 16th century and early 17th century led him to write many dramatic
religious vocal works to German texts that introduced
the new Baroque style into Germany. He adapted the recitative,
the thorough bass, and the concertato
principle to works for the Lutheran service, and laid the foundation for
the great art of dramatic church music in his "Symphoniae
sacrae" (Sacred Symphonies), "Cantiones sacrae" (Sacred Songs), and "Kleine
geistliche Konzerten" (Little Sacred Concerti), which later blossomed
into the cantatas
and passion music of Bach
and his contemporaries. Recent performances based on research into
Schutz's music have revealed a starkness and simplicity
of dramatic presentation. These characteristics are apparent
in such works as "Die Sieben Wortte..." (The Seven Last Words) and his
passion settings to the Gospels of Matthew, Luke, and John.