Berlioz: Grande Messe des morts

This is the first in a new series of releases from the world-renowned conductor Paul McCreesh and his Gabrieli Consort. Recorded in Poland as part of the Wratislava Cantans Festival (of which McCreesh is artistic director) this staggering performance of Berlioz's 'Grand Mass for the Dead' is produced by a force of over 400 performers—drawn from the Gabrieli Consort and Players, the Wroclaw Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir and students from Chetham's School of Music.

Founded in 1982 by Artistic Director Paul McCreesh, Gabrieli Consort & Players are world-renowned interpreters of great choral and instrumental repertoire, spanning from the renaissance to the present day. Their performances encompass virtuosic a cappella programmes, mould-breaking reconstructions of music for historical events, and major works from the oratorio tradition. They are regular visitors to the world's most prestigious concert halls and festivals and have built a large and distinguished discography.

SIGCD280  88 minutes 34 seconds (2 discs)
'It was a crazy project involving 500 musicians, but what better way to celebrate the Polish-English direction of the Wroclaw Festival, Wratislava Cantans?' says Paul McCreesh, who, as artistic direct ...
BBC Music Magazine
Classic FM Magazine