Motet notes - Schütz

Although most of the Psalmen Davids (1619) of Schütz are Psalm settings, several Old Testament as well as several chorale settings are included. "Ist nicht Ephraim," a lament for Israel from Jeremiah, is one of the most deeply emotional things in the "Psalmen." It is a remarkable example of the transformation of the rather formal Gabrieli polychoral into something personal and heartfelt.