Danket dem Herren, denn er ist freundlich, SWV 45 (Score)

With this magnificent setting of Psalm 136 from the Psalmen Davids of 1619, Heinrich Schütz broke new ground: he brought the court trumpet ensemble into the realm of art music (similar to Michael Praetorius at around the same time). Alongside the trumpet ensemble, a five-part ripieno choir ensures musical splendor, whilst the leading role is given two two favoriti choirs, one high (SSTT) and one low (TTBB, scored for tenor and three trombones). Schütz did not write out the trumpet ensemble parts, but made do with notating just the middle part, around which the other parts were to improvise. For this critical edition, the trumpet ensemble is available separately in a reconstruction by the internationally-famous baroque trumpet specialist Edward H. Tarr. This edition is also used for the recording of the Psalm with the Dresdner Kammerchor conducted by Hans-Christoph Rademann.