Most achingly-beautiful music

Herbert Howells English Cathedral Music,especially the "Collegium Regale"(King's College) service.
Mozart's Requiem,possibly the most important piece ever.
Beethoven's 9th symphony.A turning point in history.

ahh so much music, so little time.

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Bigpond, thanks for the correction. I must be thinking of the old live recording they did with full orchestra.
Which I have to say had moments of great drama and most certainly was very dynamic.

Bryon, IMHO the companion piece found on the old Willcocks/Kings Allegri recording; Palestrina Stabat Mater is even better.

Actually if you like this kind of music, any of the english cathedral and collegiate choirs doing renaissance music will please you. Byrd,Tallis,Pallestrina,Vittoria,Thomas Tomkins,Orlando Gibbons (my favorite),Thomas Shepherd,Robert White, and a host of others.

You should also listen the the Vaughn Williams Mass in G minor.A 20th century piece written in the style of Byrd or Tallis and a real beauty.

Also, look for mixed groups such as;Tallis Scholars,The Sixteen,The Scholars,The Clerks of Oxenford,Corydon Singers,
these groups are often ex members of the collegiate choirs and are early music specialists.It is in these groups that you will find the most esoteric pieces.

I have had the good fortune of singing countertenor in a very good American cathedral choir for most of my life, and I am well steeped in the tradition and these composers and their works.I have done the Allegri several times.

If you are looking for vinyl versions, there are many to choose from. If you need specific help, send me a email and I would be glad to discuss this at length.

e

anytime Bryon, welcome to the world of English Cathedral music. Yes I know a lot of it is Italian, but you will find that the best recordings and performances are british choirs.
I welcome any questions.

e

PMM, love the Rach,which one is it?

Love the Moody Blues too.

I have heard the Procul Harum. Did you like the epic "In Held Twas I"?

Listening tonight to Hyperion Vaughn Williams and Howells choral music.Playing it direct connection bypassing the line stage. What a fantastic recording and to hear it like that makes me want to deliver pizzas to get a passive.
Also just got Christy Moore's "Voyage" on vinyl.Very low sound floor,incredible bass and mid range texture.Finding old records of guys you have only heard on CD is a lot of fun.

e

Bermudapilot, the Alegri and the Faure and sublime. I count myself lucky to have performed them.
Who do you have doing them.

Don't know Nick Drake.

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Bermuda; You need to play the Allegri this Wednesday, since it was written to be sung on Ash Wednesday at the Sistine Chapel. Don't wash the ash off either.It makes for better listening.

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Bryon: That is a uniquely fantastic piece.Which version do you like? I have Kings College Cambridge doing it in Latin on CD and in English on Vinyl.I also have the Tallis Scholars on Nimbus CD.
Does everyone know that this piece was Papal property under threat of excommunication and was only sung on Ash Wednesday in the Sistine Chapel by the Papal choir? Until Mozart went there, memorized it and put it to paper.

Written for schola (men)including "imbellementi" sections where the castrati sings a high C several times in a very ethereal tonality. Magical

I prefer the vinyl of course, though the Latin text is more correct.Being a Kings College fan, the Willcocks/English version is a historical recording;since Kings also does this piece every Ash Wednesday.Kings chapel may be one of the few spaces that can compare with the Sistine chapel,which makes the recording all the better.
This one is a real treasure.

PMM, you may want to try the Rach piano concerto's on London with Ashkenazy.They are wonderful pressings of wonderful music.

Also just got a Harmonia box set of Purcell's opera "King Arthur", with The Arthur Deller Consort.This is a wonderful and sometimes funny piece,and the recording is amazing. These Harmonia Mundi/France pressings are some of the best.

e