1626 – Europe on the Move | Music for Churfürsten: Schütz and Crüger

One outstanding figure was Heinrich Schütz, who was supported by various princes and was able to develop his talents. Johann Crüger, on the other hand, suffered from the cultural constraints of the Reformed Electoral House whilst at the Electoral residence in Berlin. The potential Crüger might have realised is evident in his ‘Eight German Magnificats’, which he had published in 1626.

Written for double choir, eight-part, and alternating with concertante movements, Crüger here blazes a trail that he was not permitted to follow further.

In its concert on 4 December 2026, Berlin Baroque, together with six vocal soloists, the Cantores minores and the Monteverdi Choir Berlin, will present two little-known Magnificats by Crüger.

The two major works will be performed in alternation with movements from Heinrich Schütz’s ‘Symphoniae sacrae III’.

Line-up

• Berlin Figural Choir
• Marie Luise Werneburg, soprano | Magdalena Podkocielna, soprano |
• Sophia Faltas, mezzo-soprano | Tobias Hunger, tenor |
• Sebastian Myrus, bass | Matthias Lutze, bass
• Monteverdi Choir Berlin | Cantores minores | Berlin Baroque
• Gerhard Oppelt, conductor

The Monteverdi Choir Berlin and the Cantores minores Berlin specialise in performing music from the 17th and early 18th centuries. The choirs consistently employ 17th-century musical techniques with regard to articulation, historical intonation and dynamics. Together with the Berlin Baroque ensemble – built around an expressive basso continuo section comprising organ, regal, harpsichord, lute, cello, dulcian and cornett, trombones, violas da gamba, percussion and violins – this creates a sound that, thanks to the use of historical, unequal temperament, ensures a nuanced sonic landscape.