The Südfunk-Chor, Stuttgart is evidently no average choir. They have the capacity to maintain the concentration required throughout this programme. The actual works themselves are carefully balanced. Brahms’s Op. 109 is a good place to start, with antiphonal effects adding to the interest, and with the third Motet, ‘Wo ist ein so herrlich Volk’, achieving just the right uplifting feel. The Motets, Op. 110, continue the serious aura. No. 2, ‘Ach, arme Welt’, with its rich textures and controlled passion is particularly beautiful (QUOTE 1).

The Bruckner items show off the choir’s ability to blend beautifully (QUOTE 2) and, if you only know Bruckner through his symphonies, this may prove a revelation. Liszt’s devotional side proves the ideal complement, with its rich textures. This religious aspect of Liszt is less overtly appealing than his flamboyant one, but it nevertheless is well worth exploring and puts a new slant on the familiar.

Schubert’s German Mass, D872, subtitled, ‘Hymns for the celebration of the Holy sacrifice of the Mass,’ is a very beautiful expression of his personal faith. The fourth movement, ‘Du gabst, o Herr, mir Sein und Leben’ is incredibly appealing, almost a Christmas card in sound (QUOTE 3).

Unfortunately, one has to download the booklet from the internet (from www.haenssler-classic.de), an unnecessary hassle which may, understandably, put some off. Nevertheless, this is a peaceful and beautiful hour and a quarter’s listening.

Colin Clarke

 

Advertising Rates
Visitor stats
MusicWeb International
has over 21,000 Classical CD reviews on offer

Gerard Hoffnung Concerts &
The Bricklayer Story

New Releases

New Releases

MusicWeb Recommended Recordings 2008

DISCS OF THE YEAR 2007