"Credo in Deum," a composition by Stuttgart Stiftskantor Kay Johannsen, is the largest work to date by the composer—a symphonic meditation for voices and instruments based on the Apostles' Creed (set to music in Latin) and texts by Martin Luther (set to music in English and German). This hour-long, colorfully orchestrated piece features a complex dialogue between the choir, four vocal soloists, and a finely tuned orchestra, exploring the tension-filled relationship between humanity and God. Johannsen incorporates doubt, questions, and complaints, as well as trust, worship, and praise into the composition.
Commissioned by the Evangelical State Church in Württemberg for the Reformation anniversary, the work premiered on October 27, 2017, receiving positive acclaim. It was performed again on Good Friday, March 30, 2018, with three additional instrumental interludes. The composer led the Stuttgarter Kantorei, Stiftsphilharmonie Stuttgart, and four exceptional vocal soloists in this concert, resulting in a CD recording for the Animato label.