Composer: Felix Mendelssohn
Performer: MDR Leipzig Radio Choir
Conductor: Philipp Ahmann
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Pentatone
Catalogue: PTC5187064
Release: 2023
Size: 2.25 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
01. Psalm 100 ‘Ihr Völker auf der Erde all’
Three Psalms, Op. 78
02. No. 1, Psalm 2 “Warum toben die Heiden”, MWV B. 41 (Revised Version)
03. No. 2, Psalm 43 “Richte mich, Gott”, MW B. 46 (revised version)
04. No. 3, Psalm 22 “Mein Gott, warum hast Du mich verlassen”, MWV B. 51
Zwei geistliche Männerchöre Op. 115
05. No. 1, Beati mortui
06. No. 2, Periti autem
Missa brevis, MWV B. 57 “Die deutsche Liturgie”
07. No. 3, Kyrie
08. No. 4, Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe
09. No. 10, Heilig
10. Herr, sei gnädig, Trauergesang Op. 116
11. Elijah, Op. 70: Hebe deine Augen auf
12. Denn er hat seinen Engeln befohlen über dir, MWV B 53
Three Motets Op. 69
13. No. 1, Herr, nun lässest du deinen Diener in Frieden fahren fahren
14. No. 2, Jauchzet dem Herrn, alle Welt
15. No. 3, Mein Herz erhebet Gott, den Herrn
16. Heilig
The MDR Leipzig Radio Choir and its artistic director Philipp Ahmann present a collection of Felix Mendelssohn’s choral music, which arguably represents the pinnacle of German nineteenth-century religious music. Ranging across psalm settings, motets,
Latin verses, the Deutsche Liturgie as well as the ethereal chorus Denn er hat seinen Engeln befohlen, which was later adapted and incorporated into his oratorio Elijah, the album highlights the unique stylistic range and expressive power of Mendelssohn’s
choral output. A unique addition to the programme is the world premiere recording of Heilig, MWV 47. The music on this album seamlessly integrates stylistic traits of Palestrina and Bach, remnants of Jewish cantor practices, as well as the Romanticism of Mendelssohn’s time. Generally considered one of the best choirs in the German speaking world, the singers of the MDR Leipzig Radio Choir are proficient in this repertoire, written by a local musical giant whose music is deeply ingrained into the cultural soil of their city.
The MDR Leipzig Radio Choir and its aristic director Philipp Ahmann return to Pentatone with this a cappella album following their acclaimed recording of motets by
Anton Bruckner and Michael Haydn (2021). The choir has also taken part in a Pentatone release of Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis (2017), as well as numerous opera recordings released by the label.