Elizabeth C. Patterson - Josef Gabriel Rheinberger Motets Masses & Hymns - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Mendelssohn & Brahms Sacred Motets - Two of the great composers of the Romantic era, Mendelssohn and Brahms, brought their great melodic gifts and deeply felt expression to the motet form. The clarity and meaning of the sacred texts was of primary importance to both composers, and their study of Palestrina and Bach strongly influenced the style of these superb works. This recording features the rarely performed motet Aus tiefer Noth by Mendelssohn, and three Brahms motets written as chamber music for voices, yet rich and varied in expression.

Portuguese fado singer Piedade Fernandes performs songs of love, longing and the sea, steeped in the great Lisbon tradition. Eleven heartfelt tracks including Lisboa Meu Amor - Mulher, Minha Janela de Lisboa, Fado Boémio e Vadio and Fadinho da Internet.

Following it's critically acclaimed premier , Gloriæ Dei Cantores, under the direction of Elizabeth Patterson, is re-releasing eight works by Italian composer Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestina. The rarely performed Missa Beata Mariæ Virginis II is heard here in it's debut recording. Another of Palestrina?s 104 masses, Missa InchDescendit Angelus DominiInch is included on this recording, as well as five of his 375 motets, derived from chant, and intended to draw the listeners attention to the liturgy and the text. Super Flumina Babylonis, Ad Te levavi oculos meos, Miserere nostri Domine, Sicut cervus, and Sitivit anima mea, are performed by a smaller ensemble drawn from the larger choir, in accordance with the style and acoustic ambience of Palestrinian polyphony. The recording closes with the eight part Jubilate Deo for two choirs, a majestic conclusion to a disc originally recorded by Gloriæ Dei Cantores in 1993 in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of Palestrina?s death.