Essential Choral Collections (2)

DETAILS

Title: The Power & The Majesty [FLAC]
Performers: Robert Shaw Festival Singers, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Choruses
Release Date: 1995
Label: Telarc
Catalog No.: CD-80397
Number of tracks: 17 (NOTE: WHEN RIPPING, SOME TRACKS WERE DETECTED AS COMBINED, ERGO 13 FLAC FILES.)
Format: FLAC
Duration: 01:16:32
File Size: 310 MB

NOTES: This CD could be the cornerstone of your choral music library! Wonderful performances of all of the essential choral pieces give a wonderful introduction to choral music for someone new to it, and also give a nice sampler of the best pieces for someone already familiar with the music. Listening to each excerpt may inspire you to purchase the entire work! As you would expect of performances by Robert Shaw’s groups, these performances are really extraordinary and show the best of American choral singing. (Amazon review)

DETAILS

Title: Dies Irae: The Essential Choral Collection [FLAC]
Performers: Various Artists
Release Date: 1997
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Catalog No.: D221028
Number of tracks: 30
Format: FLAC
Duration: 02:06:57
File Size: 595 MB

NOTES: This collection is outstanding, featuring the best choral works from operas and oratorios in classical repertoire. It begins with the fiery and intense Dies Irae from Verdi’s Requiem. This piece is sublimely performed by the Berlin forces. It’s followed by the anthem-like Va Pensiero from Verdi’s early opera Nabucco, as conducted by Sinopoli and sounds maravelous. A brief excerpt from Beethoven’s Ninth "The Ode to Joy" is a treat. The Coronation Anthem from Zadok The Priest by Handel is well-executed and powerful. The famous Bridal March (better known as "Here Comes The Bride") from Wagner’s opera Lohengrin is sumptuous. A lot of this music is grandiose, and all the famous grand choruse from the grand operas like Aida (The Triumphal March scene) and the Inquistion Scene from Don Carlo. A favorite piece on here is the little known Mass of Saint Cecilia by Charles Gounod. It is absolutely gorgeous and epic sounding. The underrated but great conductor Igor Markevitch conducts. The famous O Fortuna from Orff’s Carmina Burana is also on here, not to mention Handel’s "Hallelujah" chorus from Messiah and other pieces from Judas Maccabeus. This is a great collection of chorus masterpieces that any fan would appreciate. (Amazon review)

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