Fürchte dich nicht, Maria

Christoph Demantius was a prolific composer of sacred music in the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods. This motet, Fürchte dich nicht, Maria, is a fine example of his output, setting a text that combines Latin and German. The Latin phrases, drawn from the Annunciation narrative in the Gospel of Luke, speak of divine grace and the miraculous conception. The composer's setting for SSAATB choir captures the awe and wonder of this pivotal moment in Christian theology. The motet would make a substantial and expressive addition to a programme of Renaissance or early Baroque sacred repertoire, offering rich harmonic language and contrapuntal interest.