Cantiones sacrae

"This Schütz set is impressively sung and recorded but will appeal almost exclusively to the specialist listener".

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"Among the neglected figures of the musical past, one of the greatest is the 17th-century German composer Heinrich Schütz ... Now the smaller four-voice Cantiones sacrae, Op 4 - 40 motets gathered together when Schütz was 40 - are superbly realised on a new recording by Magnificat under Philip Cave ... The precision and agility of the ensemble is astounding, with intricate harmonic movement sharply characterised and captured. Gentle continuo support grounds the music while Amy Haworth's soprano flies above the textures".

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"At their habitual best, these are very enjoyable performances, considered and light on their feet; but where quicksilver changes of expression or colour are required ... the results are mixed ... Other issues from the set have proved more conspicuously successful but following its progress is very rewarding".

"These are very fine singers without doubt (the famous Cantate Domino is pleasingly warm and festive); and yet one senses a reluctance to venture out of their comfort zone and inhabit the unsettling hybrid territory that Schütz has mapped out for himself and his performers".