Bruckner - The Masses - Te Deum, Psalm 150, D minor, E minor, F minor, ... - Corydon Singers - Best 1985 - 19923CDs - DDD - 67'25, 53'12, 67'55
Hyperion 1996
Performer: Joan Rodgers, Alastair Miles, Catherine Wyn-Rogers, Keith Lewis, James O'Donnell, Juliet Booth, Gwynne Howell, John Mark Ainsley, Jean Rigby, Phillip Brown, Roger Brenner, Colin Sheen, Olga Hegedus, John Scott, Thomas [Double Bass] Martin
Conductor: Matthew Best
Orchestra/Ensemble: Corydon Singers, Corydon Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra Winds
Te Deum in C major, WAB 45
Mass no 1 in D minor, WAB 26
Mass no 2 in E minor, WAB 27 - Date of Recording: 1985
Mass no 3 in F minor, WAB 28 - Date of Recording: 02/1992
Aequale no 1 for 3 Trombones in C minor, WAB 114 - Date of Recording: 1985
Libera me Domine in F minor, WAB 22 - Date of Recording: 1985
Aequale no 2 for 3 Trombones in C minor, WAB 149 - Date of Recording: 1985
Psalm 150 in C major, WAB 38 - Date of Recording: 02/1992
I must thank the folks at the Rough Guide for their recommendation of this recording because of all the extras as well at the committed performances from all involved. Even though I have not heard the other recordings, I cannot imagine that they could be any better than this. Bruckner's music is imbued with religious mysticism. Bruckner believed that even his symphonies were celebrating his Roman Catholic God and so one might expect him to compose masses.
This set begins with the Te Deum a song praising God which Bruckner believed was his finest composition and in my opinion it is strong enough to stand with the sacred vocal works of all time. Scored for four soloist , choir, organ and orchestra using mostly homophonic choral writing but later develops into a vast double final fugue. The Te Deum is compelling from beginning to end. --Amazon customer
Listen to the examples at Amazon
