HEINRICH SCHÜTZ The Seven Last Words of Jesus Christ on the Cross SWV 478 Ensemble Clément Janequin, Les Saqueboutiers de Toulouse, Dominique Visse

Compared with a genuine Baroque theatrical style, the Seven Words from the Cross is a paradox. This Historia ofthe Passion seems to be at the very opposite pole of the great BaroquePassions like the oratorios of the Catholic Counter-Reformation. On thecontrary, everything contributes to interiorise the Seven Last Words of Christi ina serene meditation which the music raises to the level ofcontemplation: “The Seven Words of Jesus on the Cross, keep them closein your heart”, the five voices sing in the exordium. The vision, soindividual, can only be interior. (Jean-Pierre Ouvrard).

Thistitle was released for the first time in 1987.