Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897)
Joseph Rheinberger (1839 - 1901)

Masses and Motets



Matthew Martin - organ

The Choir of Westminster Cathedral
Martin Baker - conductor


Recorded in Westminster Cathedral, London, on 11-14 July 2005


'It is hard to imagine finer singing of these sacred scores from Brahms and Rheinberger than that from the Westminster Cathedral Choir. The Cathedral choristers display a remarkable technical prowess and refinement. From the riveting Kyrie of the Missa Canonica to the symphonic conclusion of the Agnus Dei of the Mass for double choir, Martin Baker directs winning performances, that are marvellously fresh and well-paced. In the exceptional ecclesiastical acoustic of Westminster Cathedral the male choir’s timbre is rich and immediate, with a robust edge that seems ideal for these compelling scores. The highlight for me is the direct and vital quality to the Westminster choir’s singing in Rheinberger’s magnificent Mass. The contribution from organist Matthew Martin is first rate, providing immediacy, without ever being obtrusive. These are superbly performed and recorded sacred works that lovers of choral music will surely relish.
Concluding this new disc from Westminster Cathedral is the extraordinary double-choir Mass in E flat by Joseph Rheinberger, Liechtenstein’s most famous organ prodigy. This is music born of the polychoral Venetian tradition of Gabrieli and Monteverdi, nurtured on the harmonic milk of Bach and Mendelssohn, and finally offered up to the world as a miniature choral symphony that is uniquely Rheinberger’s.
The Choir of Westminster Cathedral, under Master of Music Martin Baker, takes on the challenges presented by these varied works with panache to create a disc that is sure to appeal.


Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897)

Missa canonica
01. Kyrie
02. Sanctus
03. Benedictus
04. Agnus Dei

Es ist das Heil uns kommen her, Op.29, No.1
05. Schaffe in mir, Gott, Op.29, No.2
06. Geistliches Lied, Op.30
07. Ave Maria, Op.12

O Heiland, reiss die Himmel auf, Op.74 No.2
08. O Heiland, reiss die Himmel auf
09. O Gott ein Tau vom Himmel giess
10. O Erd schlag aus, schlag aus o Erd
11. Hie leiden wir die grosste Not
12. Da wollen wir all danken dir


Warum ist das Licht gegeben?, Op.74 No.1
13. Warum ist das Licht gegeben?
14. Lasset uns unser Herz
15. Siehe, wir preisen selig
16. Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin



Joseph Rheinberger (1839 - 1901)

Mass in E flat major, Op.109 ‘Cantus Missae’
17. Kyrie
18. Gloria
19. Credo
20. Sanctus
21. Benedictus
22. Agnus Dei

Total Time: 69'31