Search - Felix [1] Mendelssohn, Arnold Mendelssohn, Berlin RIAS-Chamber Choir :: Mendelssohn: Motets, Opp. 23, 69 & 78; Psaume 100; Missa breve

Simply unmatched in this repertoire!

johnmonteverdi | At my desk in Makati, Philippines | 11/21/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is my favorite CD of Mendelssohn's choral works. Relative to the releases of the Corydon Singers|Matthew Best and Collegium Vocale/La Chapelle Royale|Philip Herreweghe, this record is simply without peer. It also firmly re-establishes the reputation of the RIAS-Kammerchor as one of the world's leading a cappella ensembles.This is simply outstanding choral singing. I thoroughly enjoyed their extroverted work on Psalm 100. Their bright ringing tone perfectly suited to the jovial mood of this work. The male, unison opening of 'Richte, Mich Gott' comes of with just the right amount of heft (notice the nice tapering, diminuendo at the end of this particular phrase). Intonation problems are hardly encountered...not a surprise since this choir is known for its impeccable discipline and tuning. In comparison , the Corydon singers dropped a half step in their own rendition of 'Richte'...just goes to show that these short works are a challenge even for professional choirs!Mendelssohn's choral music is a study of vocal texture: solos, solo vs. choir (i.e. 'concerto' effect), SSA and male unison... he employed these and various other textural tools in his compositions. Which of course make these works really special and varied. Among the highlights I have yet to mention are Psalm 22 'Mein Got' with its wonderful tenor solo and incisive, un-exaggerated choral attacks, and the Missa Breve (in other records, these are noted separately as Kyrie, Ehre Sei Gott, and Heilig...all works for double choir).Its wonderful to hear effortless german singing...nuances are well observed and dynamics never too academic in execution. I thoroughly enjoyed their articulation, as if every syllable was wonderfully thought of. The choir sounds a shade 'english' with very minimal vibrato (Marcus Creed is a brit!), though still unmistakbly 'german' in its robust choral tone. And all in all, there isn't a hint of stiffness in the interpretation.My only reservation: at 56 mins, it would have been flattering if they included a few more works from this master of romantic choral music. I'd like to hear them do standards such as Denn er hat seinen Engeln befohlen or the 6 seasonal motets. But alas, this is still the CD to get if you crave for Mendelssohn's sacred choral works...or if you love choral music at all...Nice, spacious recording...not too dry (i.e. has reverberance) but also doesn't echo a lot."