Search - Zoltan Kodaly, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Gerre Hancock :: Masses from St. Thomas - Kodaly: Missa Brevis; Vaughan Williams: Mass in G

Zoltan Kodaly, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Gerre Hancock
Masses from St. Thomas - Kodaly: Missa Brevis; Vaughan Williams: Mass in G
Genre: Classical

Track Listings (14) - Disc #1
1. Missa Brevis: Introitus - Maestoso
2. Missa Brevis: Kyrie - Amdante
3. Missa Brevis: Gloria - Allegro
4. Missa Brevis: Credo - Allegro moderato
5. Missa Brevis: Sanctus - Larghetto
6. Missa Brevis: Benedictus - Tranquillo
7. Missa Brevis: Agnus Dei - Adagio
8. Missa Brevis: Ite, missa est - Maestoso
9. Mass In G Minor: Kyrie - Slow
10. Mass In G Minor: Gloria in excelsis - Moderato
11. Mass In G Minor: Credo - Con moto
12. Mass In G Minor: Sanctus, Osanna I - Lento, Moderato maestoso
13. Mass In G Minor: Benedictus, Osanna II - Moderato tranquillo, Moderato maestoso
14. Mass In G Minor: Agnus Dei - Moderato

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CD Details

All Artists: Zoltan Kodaly, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Gerre Hancock, St. Thomas Choir of Men and Boys
Title: Masses from St. Thomas - Kodaly: Missa Brevis; Vaughan Williams: Mass in G
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Koch Int'l Classics
Release Date: 3/23/1999
Genre: Classical
Styles: Opera & Classical Vocal, Historical Periods, Modern, 20th, & 21st Century
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 099923741824

Synopsis

Amazon.com

Vastly different in style and concept, Zoltan Kodály's romantically garbed Missa Brevis (for choir and organ) and Ralph Vaughan Williams's medieval-shrouded Mass in G Minor (for unaccompanied double choir and four soloists) lately seem to have gone missing from the production lists of record companies. When a choir of this caliber manages to record them, we have to notice. The results are mostly satisfactory, and often exceptional, especially the uniform tone and the pleasingly focused treble sound. In the Vaughan Williams, this choir experiences the same problems every other choir has with this music, i.e., keeping textural balance, maintaining intonation, and sustaining the longer melodic phrases. Aside from a few minor lapses, the performance is assured and well-balanced, with some very powerful expressive moments. The Kyrie and Agnus Dei seem ever so slightly rushed, which keeps things together, but deprives us of the significantly more effective meditative mood a slower tempo would allow. The Kodály is lush and full-bodied, enhanced by fine organ work by choirmaster Gerre Hancock. --David Vernier

CD Reviews

Fine recording from an excellent choir

Gracejoy | New York, NY United States | 06/27/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The St. Thomas Choir of Men and Boys is considered to be the most outstanding choral ensemble in the Anglican musical tradition in the United States today, and this recording shows us why. The sound of the choir is focused and clear as they deliver these two challenging masses. Several soloists appear throughout the recording (including boy trebles) and they range from good to excellent. I had to listen a few times to begin to actually "feel" the music itself (I tend to prefer earlier music so these modern pieces were not entirely my style), but after a while the music began to grow on me, and I have especially come to enjoy the Williams mass, which is at times hauntingly beautiful. The CD liner notes include excellent detailed information about the composers, the choir, choir school, and the Choirmaster/Organist, Gerre Hancock. If you are not already familiar with this choir, you are in for a treat. I would also highly recommend their "Most Sacred Banquet" and "O God, My Heart Is Ready" recordings, which present some fine selections of traditional Anglican music. You can get both from Amazon.com, or directly from St. Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, NY."