Motet notes - Schütz

"Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, o Herr," a small concerto for solo alto, two violins and continuo, is from the 2nd book of the Symphoniae Sacrae of Schütz published in 1647. The text, the first six verses from Psalm 18, was also known  in a chorale setting. It is one of the favorite chorales of Schütz' era and is the source of one of the grandest and most sophisticated of the great motets published a year later in 1648. Interestingly here, the tune is not evident. Rather the text is set in Schütz' familiar expressive style.with marvelous text painting for all of the very vivid words at the end of the piece.