Musikalische Exequien

work by Schütz

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July 1, 2026

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Heinrich Schütz's Musikalische Exequien, published in 1636, is considered the first German requiem. This work is scored for soloists and choir, blending Italianate vocal floridity with traditional German chorale elements. The final section features a double choir, reflecting Schütz's studies with Venetian composers like Giovanni Gabrieli. Schütz, born in 1585, is recognized as a pivotal German composer preceding Johann Sebastian Bach, known for his sacred vocal music that introduced Italian stylistic innovations into German composition while retaining a distinct German character.1

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Heinrich Schütz
…first German requiem was his Musikalische Exequien (published 1636) for soloists and choir, in which the writing for solo voice or duet is often florid in the Italian manner, while the choral sections are firmly based on German chorale tradition. The final section is for double choir, recalling Schütz’s studies…
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…first German requiem was his Musikalische Exequien (published 1636) for soloists and choir, in which the writing for solo voice or duet is often florid in the Italian manner, while the choral sections are firmly based on German chorale tradition. The final section is for double choir, recalling Schütz’s studies…
Read More