vocal music for a newbie

this is great, thanks folks. i'm off and running! I had not even heard of Faure, or the group Chanticleer; and Strauss would never had occured to me. I will seek them out.
so far based on the good advise of Aida_w my life has been changed by the B minor Mass. unbelievable! this stuff is just so beautiful...

excuse 2d post, my brain was in so-mo above. the choral piece that stands highest in my collection and regard is Faure's Requiem as performed by Herreweghe w/a chamber orchestra recorded by Harmonia mundi #9011771. This is without any doubt one of the most beautiful, intimate, requiems i have ever heard (except for an earlier herreweghe performance of the original version which is much smaller scale and in my opinion even more beautiful because of the scale. also on harmonia mundi 901292). in the latest edition you also get an excellent performance of Frank's symphony in d minor.

I have been enjoying the works of Chanticleer, an a cappella ensemble released on Teldec. There are many recordings to choose from. My personal favorite is Palestrina: Missa pro defunctis - Motets. If your system has good imaging this recording will show it off!

R strauss' orchestral songs are one of my favorites. you basically have a soloist and an orchestra. the music is very assessible.EMI has a "great recordings of the century" series which includes a classic performance by elisabeth schwarzkopf & george szell which is highly regarded. i also enjoy them as sung by felicity lott w/jarvi on chandos.

i agree with Aida about brahms requiem, however i would recommend the otto klemper version. another EMI "great recording of the certury" item and most agree that it is just that. i have no other version that i listen to any longer.

Beethovens 9th certainly isn't the best starter for getting into vocal music! But if you liked it I suggest you go to Brahms EIN DEUTSCHES REQUIEM next. Try the Robert Shaw recording. Then try the Passions by Bach: St. Matthew with Ennoch Guttenberg, St. John with Suzuki, B minor Mass with Thomas Hengelbrock. Please contact me if you need further advice.
Best of luck!