Beginning with Johann Hermann Schein (1586–1630), who served as Kantor at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig for fifteen years, we include on our vocal polyphony series German motets by the foremost composers to hold the position before J.S. Bach. Schein’s motet series Fontana d’Israel is among the most important of the 17th century, with music exquisitely crafted to its biblical text. In the hands of the Washington Bach Consort’s superb vocalists, this will be a concert to remember!