Good afternoon all,
Choral & vocal works have been the genre that initially got me into classical music, and has since been on more than a par with orchestral music. Like for everyone here, discovering new works is a big part of the fun, so from the starting list below, which other works would you recommend a beginner (or whatever level for that matter) to listen to in that field ?
The recommendations may not necessarily need to be deemed as "essential", it could as well be a particular hidden gem in your music collection that you feel other GMG'ers may enjoy. Personally, it all started with Pergolesi's Stabat Mater which was one of my friend's favourite piece.
For ease of identification, i have made main sub-categories, with a deliberate focus on sacred works (I have left the Lieders, Operas and Cantatas aside for now). A handful of works and composers below are still in my "to try" list, hence some "?" in places, but if anything is out of place, please let me know and i'll edit accordingly. Likewise, I'll edit the list as we go along with your recommendations.
Thank you.
(Mods, whether it is more suitable in the Beginners Forum, feel free to move the topic).
----------------------
Masses, Oratorios
JS Bach – Mass in B Minor
JS Bach – Easter Oratorio
JS Bach – Ascension Oratorio
JS Bach – Christmas Oratorio
Beethoven – Missa Solemnis
JS Bach – Magnificat in D
JS Bach – Saint Matthew's Passion
Haydn – Nelson Mass
Haydn – The Seasons
Haydn – The Creation
Handel – Messiah
Handel - Judas Maccabaeus
Schubert – Mass No.6 in E Flat Major D950
Bruckner - Masses
Mozart - Mass in C Minor
Vivaldi – Gloria in D
Arvo Part - Berliner Messe
Janáček - Glagolitic Mass
Machaut- Messe de Notre Dame
Requiems
Mozart – Requiem K626
Verdi – Messa Da Requiem
Brahms – Ein Deutches Requiem
Berlioz - Requiem
Fauré - Requiem
Durufle – Requiem
Heinrich Schutz – Musicalische Exequien (German Requiem)
Tomas Luis de Victoria – Requiem Officium Defuntorum
Britten – War Requiem
Cherubini - Requiem
Morales – Requiem Officium Defuntorum
Stabat Mater
Pergolesi
Scarlatti
Vivaldi
Dvorak
Rossini
Haydn
Motets & small/medium scale sacred works
Bruckner - Motets
Allegri – Miserere
Palestrina – Missa Papae Marcelli
William Byrd – Mass for 4 & 5 voices
Tallis – Salve Intemerata, Spem in Alium (ok, maybe 40 parts is bigger than medium :P )
Josquin Des Prez
Dufay - Missa Ecce Acilla
Lassus - Lagrime Di San Pietro
Ockeghem - Missa Prolationum
Messiaen - O Sacrum Convivium!
Barber - Agnus Dei
Kedrov - Our Father
Arvo Part - Summa
Britten - Ceremony of Carols (with harp)
Hildegard von Bingen
Leonin & Perotin - Sacred Music from Notre-Dame Cathedral
Heinrich Schutz – Psalmen Davids.
Vespers
Rachmaninov – Vespers (All Night Vigil)
Monteverdi – Vespro Della Beate Virgine
Mozart – Solemn Vespers
Symphonies/Orchestral with vocal/choir parts
Beethoven – 9th Symphony
Mahler – 2nd Symphony (Resurrection), 3rd, 4th, 8th.
Gorecki – 3rd Symphony
Barber Knoxville: Summer of 1915
Stravsinky - Symphony of Psalms
Other Works
Vaughan Williams - Silent Noon
Schubert - Nacht und Traume
Orff - Carmina Burana
Brahms - Liebeslieder valses (with two pianos.
Stravinsky - Les Noces .
Sibelius - Kullervo
Schönberg - Friede auf Erden, Kol Nidre
Purcell - Dido and Aeneas
Handel - Solomon
Stravinsky - Oedipus Rex
Bartok - choral works
Kodaly - Works for Mixed choirs
Poulenc - Litanies a la Vierge noire de Rocamadour
R. Vaughan-williams - 5 Mystical songs for Baritone, chorus & Orchestra.
Johan Duijck - El Camino Del Alma (Phaedra CD, Flanders Fields Vol.54)
Monteverdi - Madrigals
Gesualdo
Dowland
Dunstable
Elgar: - The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38 (Barbirolli) - The Apostles, Op. 49 (Boult) -The Kingdom, Op. 51 (Boult)
Tippet - Child of our Time
Walton - Belshazzar's Feast
Keeping in mind this is for beginners...
CHORAL (A CAPELLA):
Messiaen: O Sacrum Convivium! (and anyone who has had a difficult time with Messiaen will be surprised by the beauty of this piece)
Barber: Agnus Dei (rally just a re-setting of his Adagio for Strings which is a re-setting from his String Quartet, but a good piece anyway)
Kedrov's setting of the Our Father (GORGEOUS!)
CHORAL (ACCOMPANIED):
Brahms: Liebeslieder valses (with two pianos. Schmaltzy as hell, but that's the charm of it)
Britten: Ceremony of Carols (with harp)
ORCHESTRAL WITH CHORUS (AND SOME WITH SOLO VOCAL PARTS):
Orff: Carmina Burana (yes, overplayed & perhaps over-hyped, but its a lovely work nevertheless)
Stravsinky: Symphony of Psalms
Faure: Requiem
ORCHESTRAL WITH SOLO VOCAL:
Barber: Knoxville: Summer of 1915
ART-SONG:
Vaughan Williams: Silent Noon
Schubert: Nacht und Traume
There's a lot more of course, but I can't think of any more off the top of my head...
Here are a few I would add:
Masses, Oratorios
Handel - Judas Maccabaeus
Mozart - Mass in C Minor
Requiems
Cherubini - Requiem
Symphonies with vocal/choir parts
Mahler - Symphony No. 4
Mahler - Symphony No. 8
Thanks Josh & Keemun.
Added your suggestions to the initial list :)
Sometimes people are more comfortable with shorter works, so I'd include some of the many, many compilation CDs, such as the following:
Chanticleer: Our American Journey - An excellent mix of arrangements of American folk songs and contemporary works.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61U3-rlRKWL._AA240_.jpg)
VocalEssence: Any of the four Witness CDs (the entire box is shown below), with music from African-American composers, many not well known.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Z4G2NM4EL._AA240_.jpg)
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir: Baltic Voices 1 (and discs 2 and 3) - The three discs in this series have music by Vasks, Rautavaara, and others.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41E1EK0Y1VL._AA240_.jpg)
St. Jacob's Chamber Choir: Sonority - One of my favorite choral CDs, with unusual contemporary works done by one of the world's best choirs.
(http://www.johanhammerth.com/images/agnus_dei.jpg)
--Bruce
Here are some I like:
Stravinsky, Les Noces - I really like this - robust, earthy, and fun. The Ancerl recording is ace 8).
Sibelius, Kullervo - blokey, testosterone-filled
Janáček, Glagolitic Mass
I recently got a disk of his male choral works as well and while I'm not familiar with them, like them so far.
I also like Schönberg's choral stuff, Friede auf Erden, Kol Nidre etc
I feel Schutz is seriously lacking here. Anything by Jacobs, Herreweghe or Junghanel on Harmonia Mundi will do very fine.
Schütz: Historien der Geburt und Auferstehung Jesu Christi with Frieder Bernius on Sony is probably my favorite Schutz album, but I dn't know if i is available any more (the state of Sony's catalogue is a real shame).
Quote from: bhodges on March 16, 2008, 10:01:07 AM
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir: Baltic Voices 1 (and discs 2 and 3) - The three discs in this series have music by Vasks, Rautavaara, and others.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41E1EK0Y1VL._AA240_.jpg)
St. Jacob's Chamber Choir: Sonority - One of my favorite choral CDs, with unusual contemporary works done by one of the world's best choirs.
(http://www.johanhammerth.com/images/agnus_dei.jpg)
--Bruce
Thanks Bruce. Those 2 seem quite interesting indeed - i'll look into those :)
Quote from: Novitiate on March 16, 2008, 10:33:49 AM
Here are some I like:
thanks Novitiate, that's added to the original post.
Quote from: erato on March 16, 2008, 10:45:11 AM
I feel Schutz is seriously lacking here. Anything by Jacobs, Herreweghe or Junghanel on Harmonia Mundi will do very fine.
Schütz: Historien der Geburt und Auferstehung Jesu Christi with Frieder Bernius on Sony is probably my favorite Schutz album, but I dn't know if i is available any more (the state of Sony's catalogue is a real shame).
Erato,
I had Schutz's German Requiem in my initial list, i only discovered this work 2/3 weeks ago together with "The Seven Words of Jesus christ on the Cross", and these are quite impressive pieces indeed. thanks for the further recommendations.
Quote from: papy on March 17, 2008, 01:15:33 PM
Thanks Bruce. Those 2 seem quite interesting indeed - i'll look into those :)
Papy, especially that
Sonority disc, I can't recommend highly enough if you like contemporary music. Some friends in Minneapolis (one of the true centers of choral music in the U.S.) introduced me to this choir, which they heard when they performed there at the
Sixth World Symposium on Choral Music in 2002. (And actually, there's a nice 2-CD set of highlights from the festival--see image below--and
here (http://www.stolafrecords.com/music/prodView.asp?idproduct=32) is the tracklist, plus ordering information.)
--Bruce
Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, Ulrich Roth ('70's Scorpions), and Deep Purple originally got me into Beethoven and J.S. Bach. Yngwie Malmsteen got me to listen to alot of Paganini, Perlman, Menuhin, Stern. The movie "Amadeus" made me discover Mozart and J. Haydn, and after that the Ring des Nibelungen...well, it's obvious ain't it?
Quote from: bhodges on March 17, 2008, 01:34:18 PM
Papy, especially that Sonority disc, I can't recommend highly enough if you like contemporary music.
--Bruce
I have sampled Sonority and i am not sure i am ready for that yet - like you have put in your amazon review of this CD, that may not appeal to those too used to early choral works - so that's another one to to test again later ...a bit like Kol Nidre : ;D
Quote from: papy on March 17, 2008, 02:16:36 PM
I have sampled Sonority and i am not sure i am ready for that yet - like you have put in your amazon review of this CD, that may not appeal to those too used to early choral works - so that's another one to to test again later ...a bit like Kol Nidre : ;D
No worries. :D Plenty of other things to listen to!
--Bruce
Quote from: Haffner on March 17, 2008, 02:04:03 PM
Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, Ulrich Roth ('70's Scorpions), and Deep Purple originally got me into Beethoven and J.S. Bach. Yngwie Malmsteen got me to listen to alot of Paganini, Perlman, Menuhin, Stern. The movie "Amadeus" made me discover Mozart and J. Haydn, and after that the Ring des Nibelungen...well, it's obvious ain't it?
Andy,
It is close to bed time on my side of the pond and maybe i am missing something ;D but wasn't this reply meant for an other thread by any chance ? ??? ;D
Nothing against Yngwie Malmsteenby the way, I'll just need guidance as to where to fit him in the categories in the original post !!
;D ;D
Quote from: papy on March 17, 2008, 02:35:58 PM
Andy,
It is close to bed time on my side of the pond and maybe i am missing something ;D but wasn't this reply meant for an other thread by any chance ? ??? ;D
Nothing against Yngwie Malmsteenby the way, I'll just need guidance as to where to fit him in the categories in the original post !!
;D ;D
Eeeewwwps! Sorry!
Quote from: Haffner on March 17, 2008, 02:41:33 PM
Eeeewwwps! Sorry!
;)
now, any choral/vocal gems you would like to add to our list ? :)
Quote from: papy on March 17, 2008, 02:44:19 PM
;)
now, any choral/vocal gems you would like to add to our list ? :)
Mozart Requiem
Mozart Mass in C minor
Haydn "Nelson" Mass
All Schubert Lieder. Very accessible stuff.
I think that Papy covered most of the vocal works suitable for beginners... not much more to add!
Maybe the following:
Purcell - Dido and Aeneas
Handel - Solomon
Stravinsky - Oedipus Rex
Haydn - Stabat Mater
Also Kyrie Eleison by Uli Roth ;D
Quote from: Expresso on March 18, 2008, 02:59:27 PM
Also Kyrie Eleison by Uli Roth ;D
Hey, what's
that on? I have most of his music, but not that!
Quote from: Haffner on March 18, 2008, 03:48:13 PM
Hey, what's that on? I have most of his music, but not that!
Ehm.. i meant Eleison from the album called "Beyond Astral Skies". If you don't have that one you should definatelly get it, it's his best work.
Hungarians love to sing and they sing extremely well:
(http://www.hbdirect.com/coverm/98/17598.jpg)
(http://cover6.cduniverse.com/MuzeAudioArt/590/595821.jpg)
Zoltan Kodaly's choral works are worth discovering. Approachable, very well crafted, lyrical, full of invention and variety.
Francis Poulenc : Litanies à la vierge noire de Rocamadour
Ralph Vaughan Williams : 5 mystical songs for baritone, chorus and orch. A beauty!
And discover this : Belgian composer Johan Duyck's recent Phaedra disc :
(http://www.phaedracd.com/images/92054.jpeg)
In Flanders' Fields Vol. 54 Phaedra CD cat. 92054
El Camino del Alma; the Way of the Soul
1 Alma de la Música, op.16 (1996) Johan Duijck: 40:37
(The soul of music) T: Fray Luis de León ~1578
for Soprano solo, Choir and Orchestra
2 Cantar del Alma, op.24 (2004) Johan Duijck 19:53
(Song of the soul) T: San Juan de la Cruz
for Contralto solo, Choir and Piano
3 Alma, búscate en Mí, op.25 (2005) Johan Duijck 9:56
(O soul, seek yourself in me) T: Santa Teresa de Ávila
for mixed Choir and Organ
performers:
Hilde Coppé, soprano (1-11)
Noëlle Schepens, alto (12-16)
Ignace Michiels, organ (17-20)
Hans Ryckelynck, piano (12-16)
Gents Madrigaalkoor (1-11) & (17-20)
Flemish Radio Choir (1-11,12-16)
Collegium Instrumentale Brugense (1-11)
Conductor: Johan Duijck
Johan Duijck (°1954) is active as a choir director, pianist, teacher and composer, principally throughout Great-Britain (Academy of Saint Martin in the Fields), Flanders (Flemish Radio Choir) and Spain. He is the Director of the Academy for choir-conducting at the "Euskalleriko Abesbatzen Elkartea' – Barcelona.
He was trained by Peter Cabus (composition), Robert Steyaert (piano) and László Heltay (choir-conducting)
His classical training and his affinity with language and literature have certainly contributed to the richness of his compositions.
"Powerful and striking music, intriguing both vocally and instrumentally: such is the triptych _The Way of the Soul_ (El camino del alma) by the contemporary composer Johan Duijck, who lives and works in Belgium. The texts, by mystical poets from the Spanish Renaissance, have inspired this composer and conductor to searing music, in which overwhelming climaxes alternate with intimate moments of reflection. Powerful wave-like passages, little ripples on the surface, a piano that appears suddenly, a generous vocal solo, Duijck keeps surprising the listener. His style is distilled from Pärt, Tavener, Britten and other illustrious predecessors. But Duijck¹s own individuality suffices to justify the existence of these majestic works. The performance, made at three venues and conducted by Duijck himself, by Flemish musicians, including the Flemish Radio Choir and the Ghent Madrigal Choir, is rock-solid, as is the recording."
Quote from: Expresso on March 19, 2008, 01:45:41 AM
Ehm.. i meant Eleison from the album called "Beyond Astral Skies". If you don't have that one you should definatelly get it, it's his best work.
Got to get that one!
I have added the last recommendations to the initial post.
Thanks :)
Added a few more names to the original list : Gesualdo, Von Bingen, Leonin, Perotin, Dowland, Dunstable
Elgar:
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38 (Barbirolli)
The Apostles, Op. 49 (Boult)
The Kingdom, Op. 51 (Boult)
I suggest Tippet: Child of our Time. It is his most popular work. The structure is partly inspired by the Bach Passions. Instead of chorales Tippet uses Spirituals to great effect. The piece has a narrative and is anti-war in tone.
There is a superb performance by Colin Davis with Jessye Norman and Janet Baker.
I don't think I have missed reading any mention of the Tallis 40 part motet. It lasts about 14 minutes and is an unaccompanied choral piece written literally in 40 vocal lines divided into eight choirs. A masterpiece, intoxicating in its richness. The Allegri Misereri is another piece that is good for beginners. Kings College have made good recordings of it. It is a short piece, within it is a repeated solo soprano line of great beauty. It was kept as a piece just for the Vatican, however copies eventually leaked out and I have read in several places that Mozart copied it from memory having heard it in the Sistine Chapel.
Mike
Have added the Elgar & Tippett recommendations to the list.
Mike,
Allegri's Misere and Tallis's 40-part motet were already in the list ;) but definitely 2 great starting points indeed.
The Misere and many other works by Byrd, Tallis, Perotin, Bach, etc... were performed last night in a Sacred Music concert on BBC Four by a choir called The Sixteen. I don't mind having my TV licence fee spent on such programmes ;D
Quote from: papy on March 24, 2008, 01:06:18 PM
The Misere and many other works by Byrd, Tallis, Perotin, Bach, etc... were performed last night in a Sacred Music concert on BBC Four by a choir called The Sixteen. I don't mind having my TV licence fee spent on such programmes ;D
I bet that was a great program. I have a few of The Sixteen's recordings but have yet to hear them live.
--Bruce
Quote from: bhodges on March 24, 2008, 01:08:30 PM
I bet that was a great program. I have a few of The Sixteen's recordings but have yet to hear them live.
--Bruce
An hour and a half of sheer bliss :) that is in connection with the current Sacred Music series on the same channel - hopefully that may find its way on a DVD release when its broadcast is completed, if not, i'll make do with the copy i have taped.
I have a very soft spot for the sound of Jeremy Summerly's Oxford Camerata, but based on last night's performance, the Sixteen seems worth investigating further. Any specific Sixteen's recordings you'd recommend at all please ?
Quote from: papy on March 24, 2008, 01:24:29 PM
An hour and a half of sheer bliss :) that is in connection with the current Sacred Music series on the same channel - hopefully that may find its way on a DVD release when its broadcast is completed, if not, i'll make do with the copy i have taped.
I have a very soft spot for the sound of Jeremy Summerly's Oxford Camerata, but based on last night's performance, the Sixteen seems worth investigating further. Any specific Sixteen's recordings you'd recommend at all please ?
Sure, here are a few (I have to leave shortly for a concert). According to their website, they have bought back all their catalog on Collins and are re-releasing them on the Coro label.
Ikon: Music for the Soul and Spirithttp://www.the-sixteen.org.uk/recordings/coro_ikon.php
The Eton Choirbook, Vol. III: The Pillars of Eternity (I think of the five, this is the one I have):
http://www.the-sixteen.org.uk/recordings/coro_22.php
I think I have others--some Britten IIRC--but don't see it listed. Will try to check later.
--Bruce
Swiss composer Frank Martin gets a generous treatment on:
(http://www.the-sixteen.org.uk/images/coro_titles_logo/cor29_sm.jpg)
See all the CD's at : http://www.the-sixteen.org.uk/about_us/the_sixteen.htm
Peter
Belshazzar's Feast by Walton; it is full of colour and the orchestral brass in particular have a riot. Definately one people can respond to easily.
Mike
Bruce, Peter,
Brelated thanks for the link on the Sixteen ;)
Mike,
Will add your recommendation to the initial list.
Thanks.