Composer: Anton Bruckner
Performer: St. Albans Cathedral Choir, Andrew Lucas, Dewi Rees
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: First Hand
Catalogue: FHR143
Release: 2023
Size: 235 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
01. Ecce sacerdos magnus
02. Ave Maria (1861), WAB 6
03. Tantum ergo in A flat major, WAB 41 No. 4
04. Locus iste, WAB 23
05. Pange lingua
06. Afferentur regi, WAB 1
07. Prelude and Fugue in C minor, WAB 131
08. Tota pulchra es, antiphon, WAB 46
09. Os justi meditabitur sapientiam
10. Vexilla regis prodeunt, WAB 51
11. Virga Jesse floruit
12. Tantum ergo in D major, WAB 32
13. Inveni David, WAB19
14. Postlude in D minor for organ, WAB 126 / 1
15. Salvum fac populum tuum, WAB 40
16. Christus factus est, WAB 11
Although he remains best known for his symphonies, Anton Bruckner’s output of sacred choral works is sizable and represents the essence of a composer whose Catholicism was both profound and almost entirely unwavering. These works include various motets and anthems of which some of the most popular are featured on this recording including Ave Maria, Locus iste and Os Justi .
Thanks to the excellent acoustics of the 11th century St Albans Cathedral, this recording sounds wonderful, particularly in the immersive spatial audio with Dolby Atmos version (which is available to stream via Apple Music). The recording features boy choristers rather than the more commonly heard women’s voices, fitting closer to Bruckner’s intentions. St Albans Cathedral Choir is regarded as one of the finest cathedral choirs in the country and this is the first time they have recorded these works. This recording is released ready for Bruckner’s 200th birth anniversary in 2024.