Immerse yourself in the divine harmonies and spiritual depth of "Great Sacred Choruses" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a transcendent collection of sacred music set to be released on August 4, 2025, by Warner Classics. This album is a testament to Mozart's unparalleled ability to blend intricate counterpoint with emotive melodies, offering a profound exploration of faith and devotion through music.
Spanning a diverse range of genres including classical, requiem, opera, classical piano, and chamber music, "Great Sacred Choruses" features 63 tracks that collectively span nearly three hours. The album opens with the tender and lovingly rendered "Ave verum corpus" by Mozart, setting the tone for a journey through some of the most uplifting and soul-crushing music ever composed. From the dramatic and operatic intensity of Mozart's Requiem to the serene beauty of works by composers such as Sergei Rachmaninoff, Tomás Luis de Victoria, and William Byrd, this album is a celebration of the sacred choral tradition.
Highlights include the majestic "Hallelujah" chorus from Handel's Messiah, the ethereal "Magnificat" by Bach, and the hauntingly beautiful "Lacrimosa" from Mozart's Requiem. The album also features lesser-known gems like Poulenc's "4 Petites prières de Saint François d'Assise" and the powerful "Dies iræ" from Verdi's Messa da Requiem. Each piece is performed with meticulous attention to detail, showcasing the rich textures and emotional depth of these sacred works.
"Great Sacred Choruses" is not just a collection of music; it is a spiritual experience that invites listeners to reflect and find solace in the timeless beauty of sacred choral music. Whether you are a seasoned classical enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this album offers a profound and moving journey through some of the most iconic and inspiring works in the sacred choral repertoire.
Handel: Messiah, HWV 56, Pt. 2, Scene 7: Chorus. "Hallelujah"George Frideric Handel, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury, Academy of Ancient Music
Mozart: Ave verum corpus, K. 618Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Riccardo Muti, Stockholm Chamber Choir, Stockholm Radio Chorus, Berliner Philharmoniker
Mendelssohn: Elias, Op. 70, MWV A25, Pt. 2: No. 42, Schlusschor. "Alsdann wird euer Licht hervorbrechen"Felix Mendelssohn, James Conlon, Chor des Städtischen Musikvereins zu Düsseldorf, Gürzenich Orchester Köln
Duruflé: 4 Motets sur des thèmes grégoriens, Op. 10: No. 1, Ubi caritas et amorMaurice Duruflé, Winchester Cathedral Choir, David Hill
Beethoven: Christus am Ölberge, Op. 85: No. 6d, Chor der Engel. "Welten singen Dank und Ehre"Ludwig van Beethoven, Volker Wangenheim, Chor des Theaters der Stadt Bonn, Philharmonische Chor der Stadt Bonn, Orchester der Beethoven-Halle, Bonn
Bach: Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147: No. 10, Choral. "Jesus bleibet meine Freude"Johann Sebastian Bach, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Poulenc: 4 Petites prières de Saint François d'Assise, FP 142: No. 3, Seigneur, je vous en prieFrancis Poulenc, The Sixteen, Harry Christophers
Franck: Mass, Op. 12, FWV 61: Panis angelicus (Arr. Sandré for Choir and Orchestra)César Franck, Halle Choir, Hallé Orchestra, Maurice Handford
Bach, JS: Magnificat in D Major, BWV 243: I. Chorus. "Magnificat anima mea Dominum"Johann Sebastian Bach, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Academy of St Martin in the Fields Chorus
Byrd: Gradualia ac cantiones sacrae, Liber I: No. 37, Ave verum corpusWilliam Byrd, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks
Brahms: Ein deutsches Requiem, Op. 45: IV. Wie lieblich sind deine WohnungenJohannes Brahms, Klaus Tennstedt, London Philharmonic Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Bach, JS: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140: No. 1, Chor. "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme"Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Gönnenwein, Suddeutscher Madrigalchor, Consortium Classicum
Handel: Judas Maccabaeus, HWV 63, Act 3: Chorus. "Seht, er kommt mit Preis gekrönt" - MarchGeorge Frideric Handel, Berliner Symphoniker, Karl Forster, Chor der St. Hedwigs-Kathedrale Berlin
Allegri: Miserere (Excerpt)Gregorio Allegri, Stephen Cleobury, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Timothy Beasley-Murray
Bach, JS: Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, BWV 80: No. 8, Choral. "Das Wort sie sollen lassen stahn"Johann Sebastian Bach, Concentus Musicus Wien, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Tölzer Knabenchor
Lully: Dies irae, LWV 64: II. Tuba mirumJean-Baptiste Lully, Jean-François Paillard, Ensemble vocal "À cœur joie" de Valence, Orchestre de chambre Jean-François Paillard
Stravinsky: Ave MariaIgor Stravinsky, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury
Vivaldi: Gloria in D Major, RV 589: I. Gloria in excelsis DeoAntonio Vivaldi, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Arnold Schoenberg Chor, Concentus Musicus Wien
Purcell: Hear My Prayer, O Lord, Z. 15Henry Purcell, Philip Ledger, Choir of King's College, Cambridge
Purcell: Funeral Sentences: Thou Know'st, Lord, Z. 58CHenry Purcell, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Philip Ledger, The Philip Jones Brass Ensemble
Charpentier: Beatus vir, H. 224: V. In memoria aeternaMarc-Antoine Charpentier, Michel Corboz, Coro Gulbenkian, Orquestra Gulbenkian
Charpentier: Beatus vir, H. 224: III. Potens in terraMarc-Antoine Charpentier, Michel Corboz, Coro Gulbenkian, Orquestra Gulbenkian
Verdi: Messa da Requiem: III. Dies iræGiuseppe Verdi, Claudio Abbado, Eric Ericson Chamber Choir, Orfeon Donostiarra, Swedish Radio Choir, Berliner Philharmoniker
Bach, JS: Matthäus-Passion, BWV 244, Pt. 2: No. 54, Choral. "O Haupt voll Blut und wunden"Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Gönnenwein, Suddeutscher Madrigalchor, Consortium Musicum
Schubert: Deutsche Messe, D. 872: Zum SanctusFranz Schubert, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Bavarian Radio Chorus, Elmar Schloter, Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Jerusalem: Mass in D Major "Polychoral": I. KyrieIgnacio de Jerúsalem, Chanticleer, Joseph Jennings, Chanticleer Sinfonia
Jerusalem: Responsorio segundo de S. S. JoséIgnacio de Jerúsalem, Chanticleer, Joseph Jennings, Chanticleer Sinfonia
Bruckner: Locus iste, WAB 23Anton Bruckner, New Philharmonia Chorus, Wilhelm Pitz
Purcell: Remember Not, Lord, Our Offences, Z. 50Henry Purcell, Chanticleer, Capriccio Stravagante, Skip Sempé, Joseph Jennings
Mozart / Compl. Beyer: Requiem in D Minor, K. 626: VIII. LacrimosaWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Welser-Möst, London Philharmonic Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Rachmaninov: Vespers, Op. 37: VI. Bogoroditse DevoSergei Rachmaninoff, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury
Desprez: Salve Regina a 5Josquin des Prez, Chanticleer
Charpentier: Te Deum, H. 146: VII. Aeterna fac cum sanctis tuisMarc-Antoine Charpentier, Michel Corboz, Antoine Sibertin-Blanc, Bernard Gabel, Coro Gulbenkian, Fernando Serafim, Joana Silva, John Williams, José de Oliveira Lopes, Orquestra Gulbenkian
Bach, JS: Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, BWV 80: No. 5, Chor. "Und wenn die Welt voll Teufel wär"Johann Sebastian Bach, Concentus Musicus Wien, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Tölzer Knabenchor
Haydn: Die Schöpfung, Hob.XXI:2, Pt. 1: No. 13, Terzett und Chor. "Die Himmel erzählen die Ehre Gottes" (Chor, Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael)Joseph Haydn, Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart des SWR, Sir Neville Marriner, Barbara Bonney, Hans Peter Blochwitz, Jan-Hendrik Rootering, Südfunkchor
Mendelssohn: Elias, Op. 70, MWV A25, Pt. 2: No. 29, Chor. "Siehe, der Hüter Israels"Felix Mendelssohn, James Conlon, Chor des Städtischen Musikvereins zu Düsseldorf, Gürzenich Orchester Köln
Mendelssohn: Paulus, Op. 36, MWV A14, Pt. 2: No. 25, Chor. "Wie lieblich sind die Boten"Felix Mendelssohn, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, Chor des Städtischen Musikvereins zu Düsseldorf, Düsseldorfer Symphoniker
Lotti: Crucifixus a 8 vociAntonio Lotti, Philip Ledger, Choir of King's College, Cambridge
Palestrina: Motettorum liber tertius: No. 31a, Ave regina caelorumGiovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Chanticleer
Fauré: Requiem, Op. 48: VII. In ParadisumGabriel Fauré, Sir David Willcocks, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, New Philharmonia Orchestra
Poulenc: 4 Motets pour un temps de pénitence, FP 97: No. 2, Vinea mea electaFrancis Poulenc, The Sixteen, Harry Christophers
Berlioz: L'enfance du Christ, Op. 25, H 130, Pt. 2: L'adieu des bergers. "Il s'en va loin de la Terre"Hector Berlioz, André Cluytens, Choeurs Rene Duclos, Orchestre De La Société Des Concerts Du Conservatoire
Palestrina: Mottetorum liber secundus: No. 24, Tu es PetrusGiovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks
De Victoria: Motecta I: No. 5, O magnum mysteriumTomás Luis de Victoria, Chanticleer
Handel: Messiah, HWV 56, Pt. 1, Scene 3: Chorus. "For Unto Us a Child Is Born"George Frideric Handel, Ambrosian Singers, English Chamber Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras
Bach, JS: Mass in B Minor, BWV 232: CrucifixusJohann Sebastian Bach, Eugen Jochum, Bavarian Radio Chorus, Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Haydn: Mass in D Minor, Hob. XXII:11 "Nelson Mass": KyrieJoseph Haydn, Sir Neville Marriner, Hansjürgen Scholze, Margaret Marshall, MDR Leipzig Radio Chorus, Staatskapelle Dresden
Tavener: Lamentations and Praises: XIX. Resurrection in HadësJohn Tavener, Chanticleer, Handel and Haydn Society of Boston Ensemble, Joseph Jennings
Schubert: Psalm XXIII, Op. Posth. 132, D. 706 "Der Herr ist mein Hirt"Franz Schubert, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Philip Ledger
Mozart: Vesperae solennes de confessore, K. 339: V. Laudate DominumWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Eugen Jochum, Bavarian Radio Chorus, Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks