BEST SACRED 100

 

The six discs cover different genres of sacred music:

 

CD 1 - 500 YEARS OF SACRED MUSIC                                     

 

GREGORIAN CHANT

1          Sub tuum praesidium                                                                             

            Monks & Choir of Downside Abbey

David Lawson & Dom Dunstan O’Keeffe - (P) 1996 Virgin Records Ltd

           

ALLEGRI

2          Miserere mei, Deus (vv.1–4 & 17–20)                                                     

            Timothy Beasley-Murray treble, Gerald Finley cantor

            Choir of King’s College, Cambridge / Stephen Cleobury - (P) 1984

           

DUNSTABLE

3          Veni Sancte Spiritus                                                                                          

            Hilliard Ensemble directed by Paul Hillier - (P) 1984/1987* EMI Electrola GmbH

 

TALLIS

4          O nata lux                                                                                                        

            Choir of King’s College, Cambridge / Sir Philip Ledger - (P) 1982/1994* DDD

                       

SHEPPARD

5          Verbum caro factum est                         

            Clerkes of Oxenford / David Wulstan - (P) 1978/1993*

 

GIOVANNI GABRIELI

6          Buccinate in neomenia tuba                                                                                

Ambrosian Singers ∙ Barry Rose organ / String & Brass Ensemble / Denis Stevens - (P) 1970/2007*

 

LUIS DE VICTORIA

7          O magnum mysterium                                                                           

            Choir of King’s College, Cambridge / Sir David Willcocks - (P) 1965/2007*

 

BYRD

8          Ave verum corpus                                                                                             

Choir of King’s College, Cambridge / Sir David Willcocks - (P) 1965/2007*

                       

PALESTRINA

9          Tu es Petrus                                                                                                     

            Choir of King’s College, Cambridge / Sir David Willcocks - (P) 1965/2004*

                       

DUFAY

10         Missa ‘L’homme armé’ − Kyrie                                                                

Hilliard Ensemble directed by Paul Hillier - (P) 1987

                       

LASSUS

11         Missa super ‘Bell’ Amfitrit’ altera’ − Gloria                                                

            Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge / George Guest

            (P) 1991

                       

TYE

12         Missa ‘Euge bone’ − Credo                                                                                 

            Choir of King’s College, Cambridge / Sir Philip Ledger - (P) 1982/1995*

                       

ISAAC

13         Missa Paschale − Sanctus                                                                                  

Hilliard Ensemble directed by Paul Hillier - (P) 1983  EMI Electrola GmbH - Recorded in co-production with WDR 

                       

BYRD

14         Mass a 4 − Agnus Dei                                                                            

            Hilliard Ensemble directed by Paul Hillier - (P) 1984

           

JOSQUIN

15         Absalon, fili mi                                                                                      

            Hilliard Ensemble directed by Paul Hillier - (P) 1984

                       

GIBBONS

16         Hosanna to the son of David                                                                   

            Choir of King’s College, Cambridge / Sir David Willcocks - (P) 1965/2004*

                       

TALLIS

17         Spem in alium                                                                                                   

Taverner Choir ∙ Wim Becu bass sackbut

Paul Nicholson & Alan Wilson organs / Andrew Parrott - (P) 1989 EMI Records Ltd/Virgin Classics

 

CD 2 - SACRED GLORIES OF THE BAROQUE                                                    

 

VIVALDI

1          Gloria RV589 - Gloria in excelsis Deo                                                                              

2          Laudamus te                                                                                                     

            Sarah Fox & Deborah Norman sopranos

            Choir of King’s College Cambridge ∙ Academy of Ancient Music, Stephen Cleobury - (P) 2000                       

           

J. S. BACH

3          Magnificat in D BWV243 − Magnificat anima mea                                      

            Choir of King’s College Cambridge ∙ Academy of Ancient Music, Stephen Cleobury - (P) 2000

                         

HANDEL

4          Messiah − For unto us a child is born  (ed. Basil Lam)                               

            Ambrosian Singers, English Chamber Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras - (P) 1967/1989*

                       

J. S. BACH

5          Christmas Oratorio BWV248 − Bereite dich, Zion                                      

            Dame Janet Baker (mezzo-soprano), Academy of St Martin in the Fields / Sir Philip Ledger

(P) 1977/1996

                       

HANDEL

6          Zadok the Priest (Coronation Anthem)                                                     

            Choir of King’s College Cambridge ∙ Academy of Ancient Music, Stephen Cleobury - (P) 2000

                       

J. S. BACH

7          Mass in B minor - Cum sancto spiritu                                                                                           

8          Et incarnatus est                                                                                               

            Chor & Symphonie-Orchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks / Eugen Jochum - (P) 1982

           

9          O Mensch, bewein dein’ Sünde gross (Chorale prelude) BWV622    

            Peter Hurford at the organ of the Martinikerk, Groningen, Holland - (P) 1993

 

10         Zion hört die Wächter singen (Cantata BWV140)                                      

            South German Madrigal Choir, Consortium Musicum / Wolfgang Gönnenwein -

(P) 1967/1995* EMI Electrola GmbH

 

11         St Matthew Passion − Erbarme dich, mein Gott                                        

Stephanie Blythe contralto, Ensemble Orchestral de Paris / John Nelson - (P) 2001 EMI Records Ltd/Virgin Classics

           

12         Jesus bleibet meine Freude (Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring) (Cantata BWV147)

            Choir of King’s College, Cambridge

Academy of St Martin in the Fields / Sir David Willcocks - (P) 1972/1989*              

 

PURCELL

13         Thou knowest, Lord (Funeral Music for Queen Mary) Z58c             

            Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, Philip Jones Brass Ensemble / Sir Philip Ledger

(P) 1977/1989*

           

14         Hear my prayer, O Lord Z15                                                                  

            Choir of King’s College, Cambridge / Sir Philip Ledger

            (P) 1977/1991*

                       

HASSLER harm. J. S. BACH

15         St Matthew Passion − O sacred head, sore wounded (Passion Chorale)      

            Choir of King’s College, Cambridge / Sir David Willcocks - (P) 1973/1994*

                       

LOTTI

16         Crucifixus a 8                                                                                                    

            Choir of King’s College, Cambridge / Sir Philip Ledger - (P) 1978/1994*

                       

HANDEL

            Messiah (ed. Basil Lam) 

17         I know that my redeemer liveth                                                              

18         Hallelujah Chorus                                                                                              

            Elizabeth Harwood soprano ∙ Ambrosian Singers

            English Chamber Orchestra / Sir Charles Mackerras

            (P) 1967/1987*

           

CD 3 - MOZART, HAYDN & BEETHOVEN          

 

MOZART

            Requiem in D minor (ed. Beyer) K626

1          Introit: Requiem aeternam                                                                                 

2          Kyrie                                                                                                                

3          Lacrimosa dies illa                                                                                             

            Felicity Lott soprano       

            London Philharmonic Choir & Orchestra / Franz Welser-Möst

            (P) 1990

                       

4          Vesperae solennes de confessore K339 − Laudate Dominum                     

            Barbara Hendricks soprano ∙ Academy Chorus

            Academy of St Martin in the Fields / Sir Neville Marriner

            (P) 1987 EMI Music France

                       

5          Regina coeli K127 − Regina coeli                                                            

            Kölner Kammerchor ∙ Collegium Cartusianum / Peter Neumann

            (P) 1989 EMI Electrola GmbH

                       

6          Mass in C minor K427 − Laudamus te                                                      

            Kiri Te Kanawa soprano

            New Philharmonia Orchestra / Raymond Leppard

            (P) 1974/1986* 

                       

7          Mass in C ‘Coronation’ K317 − Benedictus                                    

            Edda Moser soprano ∙ Julia Hamari mezzo-soprano

            Nicolai Gedda (tenor) ∙ Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone)

            Chor und Orchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks

            Eugen Jochum

            (P) 1977/1986*

 

8          Exsultate jubilate K165 − Alleluia                                                            

            Lucia Popp soprano

            English Chamber Orchestra / Georg Fischer

            (P) 1967/1988*

                       

9          Ave verum corpus K618                                                                         

            Swedish Radio Chorus ∙ Stockholm Chamber Choir

            Berliner Philharmoniker / Riccardo Muti

            (P) 1990

                       

HAYDN

            The Creation (ed. Temperley)                 

10         With verdure clad                                                                                              

11         The heavens are telling                                                                          

            Arleen Augér soprano ∙ Philip Langridge tenor ∙ David Thomas bass

            CBSO Chorus ∙ City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra / Sir Simon Rattle

            (P) 1991

                       

            Mass No.11 in D minor ‘Nelson’                                                               

12         Kyrie                                                                                                                

13         Gloria in excelsis Deo                                                                                        

            Margaret Marshall & Christine Schönknecht sopranos 0

Carolyn Watkinson contralto ∙ Keith Lewis tenor ∙ Robert Holl bass

            Leipzig Radio Chorus ∙ Dresden Staatskapelle / Sir Neville Marriner - (P) 1987

                       

BEETHOVEN

14         Mass in C Op.86 − Kyrie                                                                        

            Elly Ameling soprano, Dame Janet Baker mezzo-soprano

            Theo Altmeyer tenor, Marius Rintzler bass

            New Philharmonia Chorus & Orchestra / Carlo Maria Giulini - (P) 1971/1990*

                       

15         Die Ehre Gottes aus der Natur (Die Himmel rühmen)                                

Op.48 No.4 (orch. Felix Mottl)     

            New Philharmonia Chorus & Orchestra / Wilhelm Pitz -       (P) 1967/1994*

                       

16         Missa solemnis Op.123 − Gloria                                                                      

            Carol Vaness soprano, Waltraud Meier contralto

            Hans Peter Blochwitz tenor, Hans Tschammer bass

            Tallis Chamber Choir ∙ English Chamber Orchestra / Jeffrey Tate - (P) 1990

                       

CD 4 - FRENCH SACRED CLASSICS

 

MARC-ANTOINE CHARPENTIER

1          Te Deum in D − Prelude                                                                        

            Academy of St Martin in the Fields / Sir Philip Ledger -       (P) 1978/1992*

                       

BACH-GOUNOD

2          Ave Maria                                                                                                         

Dame Janet Baker mezzo-soprano

Sir Philip Ledger at the organ of King’s College Chapel, Cambridge - (P) 1981/1988*

 

GOUNOD

            Messe solennelle de Sainte Cécile                                   

3          Credo (opening)                                                                                    

4          Sanctus                                                                                                

            Laurence Dale tenor, Chœurs de Radio-France

            Nouvelle Orchestre Philharmonique / Georges Prêtre

            (P) 1984 EMI Music France

 

BERLIOZ

5          L’Enfance du Christ − The Shepherds’ Farewell                                         

Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Stephen Cleobury - (P) 1990

                                   

6          Te Deum − Tu, Christe, Rex gloriae ()                                                     

Marie-Claire Alain at the great organ Cavaillé-Coll of La Madeleine, Paris

Chœur de l’Orchestre de Paris, Chœur d’enfants de l’Union Européenne & Maîtrise d’Antony, Orchestre de Paris / John Nelson - (P) 2001 EMI Records Ltd/Virgin Classics

                       

FAURÉ

7          Requiem Op.48 (ed. John Rutter) − Pie Jesu                                                        

Nancy Argenta soprano ∙ Stephen Farr organ, Bournemouth Sinfonietta / David Hill

(P) 1998 EMI Records Ltd/Virgin Classics

 

DURUFLÉ          

8          Ubi caritas Op.10 No.1                                                                           

            Winchester Cathedral Choir / David Hill

            (P) 1998 Floating Earth under exclusive licence to EMI Records Ltd/Virgin Classics

           

FAURÉ  

9          Cantique de Jean Racine Op.11                                                               

            Winchester Cathedral Choir ∙ Stephen Farr organ / David Hill

(P) 1998 EMI Records Ltd/Virgin Classics

                       

FRANCK

10         Panis angelicus (arr. Gustave Sandré)                                                     

            Hallé Choir & Orchestra / Maurice Handford - (P) 1981/1988*

                       

POULENC

11         Gloria − Laudamus te                                                                                        

            Chœurs de Radio France, Orchestre National de France / Georges Prêtre - (P) 1989

                                                           

12         Vinea mea electa (Four Motets for a Time of Penitence)                            

The Sixteen / Harry Christophers - (P) 1990 EMI Records Ltd/Virgin Classics

                       

BOËLLMANN

13         Prière à Notre-Dame (Suite gothique, Op.25)                                           

            Fredric Bayco at the organ of Holy Trinity Church, Paddington, London - (P) 1965/1988*

           

MESSIAEN

14         O sacrum convivium                                                                                          

London Voices / Terry Edwards – (P) 1990 EMI Records Ltd/Virgin Classics

             

DURUFLÉ

Requiem (reduced orchestration version)

15         Sanctus                                                                                                

16         Libera me                                                                                                         

            Olaf Bär baritone ∙ Choir of King’s College, Cambridge

Peter Barley organ ∙ English Chamber Orchestra / Stephen Cleobury - (P) 1989      

                       

FAURÉ

17         Requiem Op.48 − In paradisum                                                              

            Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, New Philharmonia Orchestra / Sir David Willcocks

(P) 1968/1997*

                       

 

CD 5 - ROMANTIC SACRED MASTERPIECES                            

 

HUMMEL

1          Mass in E flat Op.80 − Sanctus                                                               

            Stuttgart Hymnus Boys’ Choir

Werner Keltsch Instrumental Ensemble / Gerhard Wilhelm

(P) 1971/1988* EMI Electrola GmbH

           

MENDELSSOHN

Elijah

2          O rest in the Lord                                                                                              

3          And then shall your light break forth                                                                   

            Dame Janet Baker mezzo-soprano

            New Philharmonia Orchestra / Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos - (P) 1968/1988*

           

ROSSINI

4          Stabat mater − Cujus animam                                                                

            Robert Gambill tenor

            Orchestra of Maggio Musicale Fiorentino / Riccardo Muti - (P) 1982

 

SCHUBERT

5          Gott ist mein Hirt (Psalm 23) D706                                                                      

            Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, Sir Philip Ledger piano - (P) 1975/2004*

 

                       

6          Deutsche Messe D872 − Heilig, heilig, heilig                                             

            Chor & Symphonie-Orchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Wolfgang Sawallisch - (P) 1982

                       

7          Ave Maria (arr. Christfried Bickenbach)                                                   

            Anneliese Rothenberger soprano, Graunke Symphony Orchestra / Gerhard Schmidt-Gaden

            (P) 1967/1988* EMI Electrola GmbH

                         

ELGAR

8          Ave verum corpus Op.2 No.1                                                                  

            Choir of Worcester Cathedral, Harry Bramma organ, Christopher Robinson - (P) 1969/1996*

                       

KARG-ELERT

9          Now thank we all our God                                                                                  

            Sir Philip Ledger at the organ of King’s College Chapel, Cambridge - (P) 1982

                       

BRUCKNER

10         Ave Maria                                                                                                         

            New Philharmonia Chorus / Wilhelm Pitz - (P) 1967/2003*

                       

BALFOUR GARDINER                             

11         Evening Hymn (Te lucis ante terminum)                                                  

            Thomas Trotter (organ)

            City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus / Simon Halsey (P) 2006 EMI Records Ltd

                       

VERDI

Messa da Requiem

12         Recordare                                                                                                        

13         Ingemisco                                                                                                        

14         Lux aeterna                                                                                                      

Elisabeth Schwarzkopf soprano ∙ Christa Ludwig mezzo-soprano

Nicolai Gedda tenor ∙ Nicolai Ghiaurov bass, Philharmonia Orchestra / Carlo Maria Giulini

(P) 1964/1997*

 

BRAHMS

15         Ein deutsches Requiem Op.45 − Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen           

            BBC Symphony Chorus, London Philharmonic Choir & Orchestra / Klaus Tennstedt - (P) 1985

           

PUCCINI

Messa di Gloria

16         Gloria in excelsis Deo – In terra pax – Laudamus te                                             

London Symphony Chorus & Orchestra / Antonio Pappano - (P) 2001

           

PARRY

17         I was glad                                                                                                        

            Cambridge University Musical Society Chorus, Choir of King’s College, Cambridge 

Band of the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall

New Philharmonia Orchestra / Sir Philip Ledger - (P) 1977/1988*   

                       

CD 6 - SACRED FAVOURITES OF MODERN TIMES                    

                          

JENKINS

1          The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace − Agnus Dei                                       

            National Youth Choir of Great Britain musical director: Mike Brewer

            Paul Beniston principal trumpet

            London Philharmonic Orchestra / Karl Jenkins

            (P) 2001 Karl Jenkins Music Ltd under exclusive licence to Virgin Records Ltd

From the album ‘The Armed Man (A Mass for Peace)’

                                                           

STRAVINSKY

2          Ave Maria                                                                                                         

            Choir of King’s College, Cambridge / Stephen Cleobury - (P) 1997

                       

BERNSTEIN

Chichester Psalms (reduced scoring with organ, harp and percussion)

3          I. Maestoso ma energico – Allegro molto                                                 

            Michael Pearce treble ∙ Peter Winn alto ∙ John Bowley tenor

Daniel Sladden bass ∙     Peter Barley organ

Rachel Masters harp ∙ David Corkhill percussion

            Choir of King’s College, Cambridge / Stephen Cleobury - (P) 1991

                       

LLOYD WEBBER

4          Pie Jesu (Requiem)                                                                                            

            Jane Gilchrist soprano ∙ Fergus Thirlwell boy soprano ∙ Simon Gibson organ

            Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra / Kirk Trevor - (P) 2004

 

PRIZEMAN

5          Voca Me                                                                                                           

            Libera

            Joseph Platt, Christopher Robson & Anthony Chadney soloists

Arranged and directed by Robert Prizeman - (P) 2004 Robert Prizeman under exclusive licence to EMI Records Ltd

                                                                                                                                   

KASHIF

6          Ave Maria (arr. Tolga Kashif & Julian Kershaw)                                        

(Additional programming by Steven Price)

            Lesley Garrett soprano ∙ Julian Leang treble ∙ Clare Singers

Orchestra conducted by Philip Ellis - (P) 2001       

Julian Leang appears by kind permission of the Dean and Chapter of St Paul’s Cathedral

                       

VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

7          Mass in G minor − Kyrie                                                                        

            Choir of King’s College, Cambridge / Sir David Willcocks - (P) 1969/1989*

                       

GÓRECKI

8          Totus tuus Op.60                                                                                               

Choir of King’s College, Cambridge / Stephen Cleobury - (P) 1994                                                                                                                         

 

PÄRT

9          Magnificat (1989)                                                                                              

            Choir of King’s College, Cambridge / Stephen Cleobury - (P) 1994

 

RACHMANINOV             

10         Ave Maria (Vespers, Op.37)                                                                               

            Choir of King’s College, Cambridge / Stephen Cleobury - (P) 1999

                       

TAVENER

11         Song for Athene                                                                                    

Winchester Cathedral Choir / David Hill - (P) 1998 Floating Earth Ltd under exclusive licence to EMI Records Ltd/Virgin Classics

                       

BURGON

12         Nunc Dimittis                                                                                                    

Paul Miles-Kingston treble ∙ Crispian Steele-Perkins trumpet, Martin Neary organ - (P) 1985

 

RUTTER

13         Requiem − Requiem aeternam                                                               

            Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, City of London Sinfonia / Stephen Cleobury - (P) 1998

 

BARBER

14         Agnus Dei (Adagio for strings)                                                                

            Winchester Cathedral Choir / David Hill

            (P) 1998 Floating Earth under exclusive licence to EMI Records Ltd/Virgin Classics

                       

JENKINS

15         The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace − Benedictus                                      

            National Youth Choir of Great Britain musical director: Mike Brewer

            Guy Johnston cello, London Philharmonic Orchestra / Karl Jenkins

            (P) 2001 Karl Jenkins Music Ltd under exclusive licence to Virgin Records Ltd

From the album ‘The Armed Man (A Mass for Peace)’

 

The “100 BEST” series continues its incredible success - over 2 million sales to date - with 100 BEST SACRED WORKS

 

This 6CD collection features the greatest sacred music through the ages.  From Byrd to Barber via Brahms this collection provides a fascinating insight into the evolution of sacred music.

One of the most comprehensive and best value sets in the market.

 

EMI 6cds 3825912