In the early years of the protestant reformation in Germany new hymnals and other types of sacred song-books were written and began to be published. In addition to what we would describe as basic congregational-style hymns, the new church music included both shorter and extended hymn/chorale-tune settings involving complex five-and six-part polyphony. This fine recording includes examples of all of these early styles, from Martin Luther's beautiful chorale melodies (here effectively sung in unison) to the multi-part realizations of Luther's and others' hymn-tunes (such as Ein feste Burg, Durch Adams Fall, and Mit Fried und Freud) by contemporaries Johann Walter (1496-1570) and Caspar Othmayr (1515-1553).

Listeners may be most impressed with Othmayr's very skillful writing, from the short two-voice setting (here with accompanying lute and organ) of Durch Adams Fall to the substantial (nearly nine minutes) Epitaphium D. Martini Lutheri, a sophisticated and thoroughly engaging five-voice motet in memory of Luther. Johann Walter's own setting of Durch Adams Fall, also for five voices, is equally involving and notable both for its concise, neatly drawn vocal lines and for the remarkable textural clarity that allows us to hear all of the parts.

As the ensemble Himlische Cantorey has proven before (type Q7222 in Search Reviews), the five voices (plus lute and organ) are not only perfectly matched, well-balanced, and precisely tuned, but they project a warm, vibrant tone and sanguine spirit that ideally suits the music. Fine sound and brief, informative notes complete this very pleasurable package.

--David Vernier, ClassicsToday.com