Motet notes - Schütz

The three-section setting of Psalm 131 is the largest psalm setting in Schütz' most Italianate collection, the Cantiones Sacrae. After the austere double chorus settings of the Psalms published in 1619, the madrigal-like gestures of today's Psalm seem very foreign. The melancholy tone of this Psalm is actually perfect for the hot Italianate musical language. This is clearly one of the greatest motets in the whole collection.