Heinrich Schütz

The Profile

Heinrich Schütz (1585–1672) was a German composer of the early Baroque, best known for his sacred choral music. He studied in Venice with Giovanni Gabrieli and served as Hofkapellmeister in Dresden, bringing Venetian and Italianate styles to German church music.

Born 1585, died 1672. Studied with Giovanni Gabrieli in Venice. Served as Kapellmeister in Dresden. Major works include the Musikalische Exequien, Symphoniae Sacrae, Psalmen Davids and various sacred choral collections.

A single detailed review on DeBaser praises Schütz's Cantiones Sacrae 1625 and positions him as a major precursor to J.S. Bach. The reviewer highlights Schütz's blend of Italian and Flemish styles, contrapuntal writing and use of micro-dissonance. The recording discussed is a 1963 Dresden Kreuzchor performance (Eterna edition).