Two substantial Mass settings from Jacob Regnart, sound as though might have written them specifically for the glorious voices of Cinquecento. This is a welcome contribution to the restoration of an important, but still under-appreciated, figure.
Lob, Ehr und Preis sei Gott - The Loveliest German Hymns / Vocal Concert Dresden
Berlin Classics
CD
$20.99Oct 11, 2013
Track List: 1 Nun lasst uns Gott, dem Herren 2 Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme 3 Befiehl du deine Wege 4 Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott 5 Du meine Seele, singe 6 Gott des Himmels und der Erden 7 O Gott, du frommer Gott 8 O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde groß 9 Christ ist erstanden 10 Nun bitten wir den Heiligen Geist 11 Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten 12 Großer Gott, wir loben dich 13 Jesus, meine Zuversicht 14 Schönster Herr Jesu 15 O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden 16 Auf, auf, mein Herz, mit Freuden 17 In dir ist Freude 18 O Heiland, reiß die Himmel auf 19 Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her 20 Herr Christ, der einig Gotts Sohn 21 Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern 22 Nun danket alle Gott 23 Wie lieblich ist der Maien 24 Geh aus, mein Herz, und suche Freud 25 Der Mond ist aufgegangen
Our fetishist regard for John Sebastian Bach as the pinnacle of Western art music obscures the fact that his talent was spawned by at least three generations of gifted predecessors. We celebrate this lineage by exploring the musical family archive Bach discovered in 1735. Among the hidden gems are intensely moving Geistliche Konzerte by his cousin Johann Christoph Bach, and the latter’s father Heinrich Bach. In his earliest preserved cantata Christ lag in Todesbanden, Johann Sebastian superbly imitates the polyphonic motet style of these foregoers, which was going out of fashion.
Christus der Erloser concludes Friedrich Schneider's (1786-1853) monumental Christ trilogy. In the 1820s, the Dessau court conductor had planned to depict the life of Jesus in a series of four oratorios - a project he did not complete, but which nevertheless resulted in three complete works: Christ the Child (published in 2022), Christ the Master (published in 2023), and Christ the Redeemer, in which Schneider turns his attention to the Passion of Christ. The work testifies to Schneider's great dramatic sensibility, his deep religious conviction, and his mastery of choir and orchestra.
A Celebration of Faith in His Name: The Coming of Christ
Gloriae Dei Cantores
CD
$18.99Aug 31, 2002
Coming of Christ-A Celebration of Faith in His Name - The Coming of Christ is sung by the Gloriae Dei Cantores Schola and conducted by Dr. Mary Berry, CBE, reknowned experts who bring a wealth of experience to the interpretation of Gregorian chant. Well-known pieces alternate with numerous antiphons to bring us closer to the time of Christ's birth and early childhood. The prophetic announcements, the longing and anticipation of Christ's birth as well as the joy of the angels' message are all vividly portrayed in the Gregorian chant.
Schneider: Christus der Meister / Brandt, Kleifeld, Strotmann, Stojanovic, Wuppertal SO
Ars Produktion
SACD
$34.99Apr 21, 2023
Christus der Meister is the second of three Christus oratorios from the pen of Friedrich Schneider. After the prelude to the trilogy, Christus das Kind, was performed again by the Kantorei Barmen-Gemarke shortly before Christmas 2019 after more than a hundred years, the work that comes second within the trilogy but was written chronologically first now follows. Schneider's Christus Trilogy, which was originally planned as a series of four full-length oratorios, i.e. as a tetralogy, is of some significance in terms of genre history. Schneider's trilogy is also special in that it ranges from the story of the Nativity to the Passion, thus encompassing the entire life of Jesus. Schneider did not compose the originally intended fourth oratorio, Christ the Glorified.
Acclaimed for his sacred choral and organ works, Francis Pott was recognized in 2021 with the Medal of the Royal College of Organists, its highest award. Regarded as an Everest of the organ repertoire, Christus is a Passion symphony that traces this dramatic Biblical narrative through evolving tonality, portraying Christ’s vast struggle through betrayal and crucifixion towards ultimate triumph. Christus here enjoys itsfirst studio recording, made in the presence of the composer. Included also are premieres of Surrexit Hodie (a toccata for Easter Sunday) and a commemorative chorale prelude, Schmückedich, Oliebe Seele.
In response to many requests, David has gathered together his most popular Lent and Easter music into one convenient collection—most available for the first time on compact disc and in convenient choral octavos. Drawn from his popular Who Calls You By Name series, this fine collection includes many selections for Triduum, complimented by titles appropriate for funerals and reconciliation. And of course, all of this music reflects David's remarkable sense of melody!
Born from David’s great love and passion for youth ministry and inspired by the mission of Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul where he has been campus minister for the past three years, God Is Everywhere celebrates the life of faith and the intentional connection to peace and justicethat the Christian Brothers and Sisters of Saint Joseph instill in their young students. The mass setting, Mass of Christ, Our Hope, and additional songs, hymns, and ritual songs center around themes of unity, acceptance, love of God, and love of neighbor. In addition to David’s compositions, this recording and printed collection include an original setting of Psalm 27, “I Believe I Shall See,” by Ellen Larson, a member of Cretin-Derham Hall’s graduating class of 2014. While the music in this collection was originally created for this school community, God Is Everywhere is more than a resource for youth—it is a collection for all generations of faith and is intended for all believers, because God is for everyone, everywhere!
Music composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Lyrics written by Tim Rice. Principal cast: Glenn Carter (Jesus); Jerome Pradon (Judas); Renee Castle (mary); Fred Johanson (Pilate); Rik Mayall (Herod); Frederick B. Owens (Caiaphas); Michael Shaeffer (Annas); Tony Vincent (Simon); Cavin Cornwall (Peter). Producers: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Nigel Wright. Recorded at Whitfield Street Studios, London, England.
For their first CD exploring the world of Bach, Sebastien Dauce and his Ensemble Correspondances give new life to the young composer's first sacred cantatas - BWV 4, 106 and 131 - written in Muhlhausen. Combining the Lutheran tradition with a faint breeze from Italy, these works already reveal the dramatic invention and formal rigour of a fully functioning creative mind.
Principal cast includes: Paul Nicholas, Keith Burns, Claire Moore, Gary Martin, Bogdan Kominowski, Victor Spinetti. Principally recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London, England in February & March, 1992. Contains additional lyrics written by Tim Rice in 1992.
Marty Haugen has joined with composer colleagues Fr. Michael Joncas and Tony Alonso to produce a new collection of 13 songs for worship. The music reflects a wide diversity of musical forms and styles, from the classical “Lauda Sion” (Joncas) to the beautiful “In the Arms of God” (Alonso) to the call-and-response “God Is Still Speaking” (Haugen). Psalm settings, communion songs, and songs for specific feasts (e.g., Ash Wednesday, Easter Vigil) with texts by Susan Briehl, Mary Louise Bringle, Delores Dufner OSB, John Fennelly, Alan Hommerding, and James Quinn SJ ensure that there is music here to enhance any community repertoire.
The Seven Words are a composition which Joseph Haydn was commissioned to write. They were intended to be performed in churches, with each of the seven pieces following a short text or sermon by the priest. The texts between the pieces of music on this recording reflect the original plan and "performance practice". The role of the priest was played by the famous rhetorician Walter Jens.
Poland's ascendant Orkiestra Camerata Stargard presents a luminous and deeply moving album of sacred orchestral and choral music by Polish-American composer Mark Nowakowski. The programme opens with Nowakowski's radiant setting of The Seven Last Words of Christ, unfolding with both intimacy and dramatic weight. It is followed by a searing meditation on suffering, O Mater Dolorosa!, featuring violinist Karolina Hyla-Wybraniec. The album concludes with O Beauty Uncreated, Nowakowski's setting of St. Faustyna's celebrated reflection, performed in collaboration with Slovakia's Chamber Choir Omnia. This release marks Nowakowski's third portrait disc. His debut, Blood, Forgotten, garnered strong reviews in Gramophone, while his second, Metanoia, reached #1 on Amazon's digital classical chart.
Jess Sah Bi is well- known as half of the legendary duo Jess Sah Bi & Peter One who brought homegrown Country- Americana to the West African masses with their smash debut Our Garden Needs It's Flowers in the mid-1980s. Touring stadiums and reaching listeners worldwide, their music has racked up millions of spins on YouTube and remains imprinted in the hearts of Ivorians of a certain age. ATFA reissued their album in 2018, garnering critical acclaim from publications including Pitchfork and Rolling Stone and reaching a new generation of listeners outside Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire). Sometime in the early 90s, Die Sahbi-or Jesse, as he known to friends- became gravely ill with an unknown ailment and almost died. He visited various doctors and all kinds of religious healers and nothing helped until he became a born-again Christian. He recorded an album of music praising God in order to honor a promise he made to himself at the depths of his desperation in the hospital. That album, Jesus-Christ Ne Decoit Pas [Jesus Christ Does Not Let Us Down], came out in 1991 and sold around 3000 cassettes in Ivory Coast. The master tape was lost along the way so the recording has never been on digital platforms until now. Jesse didn't have much time to record while visiting South Carolina, and he enlisted some American musicians (Robert Fortner and Gary Davis) to help. They added acoustic guitar, percussion and keyboard accompaniment to Jesse's soaring French and Gouro vocals, harmonica and finger-picked acoustic. The resulting recording is deeply soothing and contemplative music that perfectly compliments the songs already embraced by millions. Jesus-Christ Ne Decoit Pas is Jess Sah Bi's first and only gospel album. Fortunately, fans responded with enthusiasm: widespread radio airplay and concerts followed, along with a growing solo profile in the country. The first big gospel artists in Ivory Coast were the duo Mathieu et Constance, who emerged in 1989. There was a bigger gospel music movement in English-speaking counties like Ghana and Nigeria (Christians make up roughly 40% of the population in Ivory Coast, slightly less than Muslims). In the years since Jesus-Christ's release, gospel music in Ivory Coast has grown to become a key part of music culture in the country. Spiritual music appears in community actives across the public and private spectrum from religious gatherings and parties to television broadcasts and music festivals. And, as it has evolved and indigenized locally, gospel music has picked up elements of traditional Ivorian music, reggae and soul. Jesse didn't have any intention of working in Christian music but he realized, "You don't make music to make money-you want to send a message.
Jess Sah Bi is well- known as half of the legendary duo Jess Sah Bi & Peter One who brought homegrown Country- Americana to the West African masses with their smash debut Our Garden Needs It's Flowers in the mid-1980s. Touring stadiums and reaching listeners worldwide, their music has racked up millions of spins on YouTube and remains imprinted in the hearts of Ivorians of a certain age. ATFA reissued their album in 2018, garnering critical acclaim from publications including Pitchfork and Rolling Stone and reaching a new generation of listeners outside Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire). Sometime in the early 90s, Die Sahbi-or Jesse, as he known to friends- became gravely ill with an unknown ailment and almost died. He visited various doctors and all kinds of religious healers and nothing helped until he became a born-again Christian. He recorded an album of music praising God in order to honor a promise he made to himself at the depths of his desperation in the hospital. That album, Jesus-Christ Ne Decoit Pas [Jesus Christ Does Not Let Us Down], came out in 1991 and sold around 3000 cassettes in Ivory Coast. The master tape was lost along the way so the recording has never been on digital platforms until now. Jesse didn't have much time to record while visiting South Carolina, and he enlisted some American musicians (Robert Fortner and Gary Davis) to help. They added acoustic guitar, percussion and keyboard accompaniment to Jesse's soaring French and Gouro vocals, harmonica and finger-picked acoustic. The resulting recording is deeply soothing and contemplative music that perfectly compliments the songs already embraced by millions. Jesus-Christ Ne Decoit Pas is Jess Sah Bi's first and only gospel album. Fortunately, fans responded with enthusiasm: widespread radio airplay and concerts followed, along with a growing solo profile in the country. The first big gospel artists in Ivory Coast were the duo Mathieu et Constance, who emerged in 1989. There was a bigger gospel music movement in English-speaking counties like Ghana and Nigeria (Christians make up roughly 40% of the population in Ivory Coast, slightly less than Muslims). In the years since Jesus-Christ's release, gospel music in Ivory Coast has grown to become a key part of music culture in the country. Spiritual music appears in community actives across the public and private spectrum from religious gatherings and parties to television broadcasts and music festivals. And, as it has evolved and indigenized locally, gospel music has picked up elements of traditional Ivorian music, reggae and soul. Jesse didn't have any intention of working in Christian music but he realized, "You don't make music to make money-you want to send a message.
Featuring over 7 centuries of beautiful and sublime pieces from Bach, Mozart, Part, Tallis, Tavener, Beethoven, Barber, Charpentier, Rutter and more. The pieces cover all phases of the life, death and resurrection of Christ, making it the perfect music for any Christian holiday and easy listening year-round.
Christoph Graupner: Das Leiden Jesu - Passion Cantatas IV
CPO
CD
$18.99Jul 10, 2020
The present recording of Christoph Graupner's Passion Cycle of 1741 concludes on Vol. 4 with the highly expressive cantata for Laetare Sunday GWV 1123-41. Laetare Sunday ("Joy" or "Refreshment" Sunday), the fourth Lenten Sunday, actually assumes a certain special positive status with it's central focus on God's action, which alone can rid human beings of their failings. However, Johann Conrad Lichtenberg, the author of the text, had a different view: here the dominant theme is the inequity of the rulers and judges who pronounce on Jesus while he bears everything with patience. In the end the verdict concerns the collective guilt of humankind, for which there initially seems to be no remedy. Here two things stand out: the decision in favor of two duets (instead of two arias) and the instrumentation of the cantata as a whole. The blend of instrumental color renders audible what is a direct musical realization of the textual content. The selection of chorales from Graupner's oeuvre between 1713 and 1751 illustrates the extraordinary variety of his compositional production, and the constantly changing coloration brought about by the nuanced instrumentation conveys this to the listener with special clarity. "The Baroque boom - here it in fact has brought new gems to light" (klassik-heute. Com of Vol. 3).
A Celebration of Faith in His Name: The Beloved Son
Gloriae Dei Cantores
CD
$18.99Feb 28, 2003
The Beloved Son: A Celebration of Faith in His Name - This recording is part of a series illuminating the life of Jesus through the exquisite music of Gregorian chant. In this series, well-known pieces alternate with brief antiphons to show the path of Christ's life. In addition, chant-based organ pieces form a frame around each volume in the series. This particular volume, The Beloved Son, celebrates the public life and ministry of Christ through Gregorian chant.
