This German Requiem was written in 1636 for the funeral of a prince from Schütz' home region and preplanned by the prince and the composer. The Seven Last Words dates from 1645 and the two other pieces performed here are from a collection published in 1648, dedicated to the city fathers of Leipzig, and making a quiet statement regarding the contrapuntal skills learned by Schütz from his teacher Giovanni Gabrieli. Musicalisches Exequien (German Requiem), SWV 279-281 Die sieben Worte Jesu Christi am Kreuz, SWV 478 Die mit Tränen säen, SWV 378 So fahr ich hin zu Jesu Christ, SWV 379 Alsfelder Vocal Ensemble and Soloists, Himlische Cantorey, I Febiarmonici, Beate Röllecke, continuo and Wolfgang Helbich, conductor