Motet notes - Schütz

Unique in the Kleine Geistliche Konzerte of Schütz is the treasurable Annunciation setting of the "Ave Maria." Almost all of the works in the Kleine Geistliche Konzerte are for solo voices with continuo.  Here Schütz adds a five-voice string orchestra for a prelude and a lovely delicate chorus to end the work.  This framing device makes the expressive dialogue between Mary and the Angel all the more delicate, like a Fra Angelico Annunciation.