RECORDINGS
Bach, J.S., Messe in H Moll (Mass in B minor), BWV 232, The Monteverdi Choir, The English Baroque Soloists, John Elliot Gardiner, conductor (Archiv 415 514-2, two compact discs, 1985). This Mass, along with Beethoven's Missa Solemnis , is the most monumental in scope and impact of all the choral-orchestral repertoire. The choir and soloists in this recording are excellent, and Bach's musical intentions seem to have been captured, although Gardiner .uses larger performing forces than Bach had in mind.
Handel, G.F., The Messiah, The Six-teen Choir, The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, Tom Koopman , conductor (Erato CD 880503, two compact discs, 1985). Most of us are familiar with The Messiah, but perhaps not in a performance where the performing forces are limited to the small-group dimensions Handel probably envisioned. The musical interpretation here is superb.
Haydn, J., Lord Nelson Mass (Mass No.9 in D minor), Westminster Choir, Joseph Flummerfelt , conductor; with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein, conductor (Columbia M 35100, LP, 1978). This recording is particularly noteworthy for the excellence of the college age chorus and for the virtuosic orchestral playing. It is a vibrant performance of this great, late classic period work which more people should know.
Mozart, W.A., Requiem , K. 626, Chorus and Orchestra of the Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood , conductor (L'Oiseau Lyre/Decca CD 411 712-2, two compact discs, 1984). There has been such controversy concerning the quality of the sections in this work that were not composed by Mozart that many musicologists have debated whether to include these portions at all. Hogwood, one of the earliest and most successful exponents of authentic performance practice, conducts an excellent newly reconstructed version of the piece. The wealth of Mozart's musical ideas is astonishing in this, the final work of his lifetime.
Beethoven, L., Mass in C, Op. 86; Handel Society Chorus & Orchestra of Dartmouth College , Melinda O'Neal, conductor ( VQR , Needham , MA 02192, CD and cassette, 1988) or RIAS-Kammerchor , Ernst Senff , conductor; Radio- Symphonie-Orch-ester Berlin, Riccardo Chailly , conductor (London 417 563-2, one compact disc, 1987). For a long timethere existed only one Bernstein andone Giulini recording of this long overlooked Mass. Now the Handel Society has recorded the workwhich Beethoven composed in 1807, the same year that students and faculty at Dartmouth founded the Handel Society. A new professionalrecording is also available. Beethovenproves himself to be lyrical as well as dramatic.
Brahms, J., Eine Deutsches Requiem(A German Requiem), Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Robert Shaw, conductor ( Telarc CD-80092 , 1984). This work is unlike most requiems in that it was intended forconcert rather than liturgical performance. Brahms takes the listenerthrough a progression from darkness to light, from death to serene hope. This is perhaps the most loved nineteenth-century major work in thechoral repertoire.
Verdi, G., Requiem, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Robert Shaw, conductor ( Telarc CD 80152, 1987 ). Contrasting the Verdi Requiem (1874) with Mozart's (1791) gives the istener a real sense of thecontrasting styles of the romantic andclassic periods. Verdi wrote a longer work with a larger orchestra and more dramatic solo voices. Whereas Mozart's Requiem sounds at homeon the concert stage, Verdi's almostbegs to be at the La Scala opera house.
