Hyperion Records | Janácek/Kodály: Masses

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CDA67147

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Recording details: July 1999
Westminster Cathedral, London, United Kingdom
Produced by Mark Brown
Engineered by Antony Howell & Julian Millard
Release date: February 2000
Total duration: 71 minutes 9 seconds

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GRAMOPHONE EDITOR'S CHOICE

GRAMOPHONE CRITICS' CHOICE

RADIO 3 DISC OF THE WEEK

CRITICS' CHOICE INTERNATIONAL RECORD REVIEW

'The intensity and focus of the treble voices, for which this choir is famed, brings a luminosity to Janacek's angular lines that compels attention ... radiant performances' (BBC Music Magazine)

'These pieces have an affecting quality, and they are most beautifully sung and lucidly recorded' (International Record Review)

'Westminster Cathedral Choir's discography is distinguished by immaculate preparation, inspired direction, outstanding choral singing and superlative recorded sound. A simply glorious performance and, as with the Martin and Pizzetti recording, this entire release should inspire even those for whom sacred music is usually a closed book. In short, this is a disc not to be missed' (Gramophone)

'Sumptuously recorded and delivered with obvious affection for the music, this is my personal record of the year' (Gramophone)

'An absolute triumph. Highly recommended' (Classic CD)

Janácek/Kodály: Masses

Westminster Cathedral Choir, James O'Donnell (conductor)

		Missa brevis Zoltán Kodály (1882-1967)
1		Movement 1: Introitus [2'55] Andrew Reid (organ)
2		Movement 2: Kyrie [2'38]
3		Movement 3: Gloria [4'15]
4		Movement 4: Credo [6'14]
5		Movement 5: Sanctus [2'20]
6		Movement 6: Benedictus [3'29]
7		Movement 7: Agnus Dei [5'39]
8		Movement 8: Ite, Missa est [3'32] Andrew Reid (organ)
		Laudes organi Zoltán Kodály (1882-1967)
9		Movement 1: Introduction [4'10] Andrew Reid (organ)
10		Movement 2: Audi chorum [1'34]
11		Movement 3: Musice! milites [2'13]
12		Movement 4: Gravis chorus [1'32]
13		Movement 5: Nunc per voces [1'10]
14		Movement 6: Tali modulo [3'14]
15		Movement 7: Huius artis [2'01]
16		Movement 8: Fiat Amen [3'23]
		Mass in E flat Leos Janácek (1854-1928)
17		Movement 1: Kyrie [5'48]
18		Movement 2: Credo [8'04]
19		Movement 3: Sanctus [3'27]
20		Movement 4: Agnus Dei [3'31]

The Janácek Mass is a new completion of the unfinished mass by Janácek expert Paul Wingfield. Janácek wrote his unfinished Mass in E flat for soloists, mixed chorus and organ probably in 1908. Having completed a Kyrie, an Agnus Dei and some of the Credo, he put it to one side. Twenty years later he returned to it, incorporating most of it into his first draft of the Glagolitic Mass. Subsequent revisions of the Glagolitic Mass removed almost all of the material from the earlier work, the score of which Janácek appears to have destroyed. Fortunately, the incomplete Mass was preserved by a pupil of Janácek's and was published in 1972. The version recorded here is based on both this edition and the early drafts of the Glagolitic Mass. Paul Wingfield has provided a new completion of the Credo.

The Missa Brevis by Kodály was written originally as an Organ Mass and later rearranged as a Missa Brevis for organ and mixed choir. The first performance was in the Budapest Opera House cloakrooms during the siege of Budapest in 1944/45!

The Laudes Organi is Kodály's last completed work and is notable for its imposing organ introduction and interludes. Its triumphant conclusion marks a fitting end to the career of a composer whose contribution to the Hungarian choral tradition remains unrivalled.

This recording is the final recording with James O'Donnell as the Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral.