Rheinberger & Mendelssohn: Choral Works

Featuring

Benjamin Goodson
Netherlands Radio Choir
Josef Gabriel Rheinberger
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy

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Composition History

Rheinberger's Mass in E-Flat Major, 'Cantus missae', was his first new composition after being appointed Hofkapellmeister of Munich in 1877.

Performer Biography

This recording marks Benjamin Goodson's debut as chief conductor with the Netherlands Radio Choir.

Composer Biography

Felix Mendelssohn's religious background was complicated; his grandfather was a Jewish philosopher, but his parents had him baptized as a Protestant.

Compositional Technique

Rheinberger's 'Cantus missae' is a 'symphonic mass' for double choir, making striking use of its stereo setup while remaining suitable for a liturgical setting.

Historical Context

Sacred music in 19th-century Germany was complex and debated, influenced by the Enlightenment, French Revolution, and renewed interest in Handel and J.S. Bach.

Composer Biography

Josef Rheinberger, a prodigiously talented organist and composer, was the son of the Prince of Liechtenstein's treasurer.

Recording & Production

The recording aimed for an intimate acoustic rather than a highly reverberant one, to allow the words and musical detail to speak directly to the listener.