Free classical download #14 for a Sunday morning
mainTo clear your head for the New Year, try a little Sanctus by Josef Rheinberger on the Somm label. The performers are the Hildegard Choir of Oxford, with soprano Emily Van Evera and conductor Gulliver Ralston.
To download, click here.
Hate to rain on the parade, but I think of the music of Rheinberger as the equivalent of paint-by-numbers. I play the organ and have performed some of his stuff, but basically agree with the rival composer who said “I agree that Rheinberger is a better composer than I am. He composes for several hours a day, and I can’t compose anything unless I have an idea.”
A beautiful job! The performance is as light as air, with all the voices coming through clearly, and the organ is strong without being overpowering. The recording quality is especially good; clean and nothing tricky, with great spaciousness. The host of our choral program at WCNY will certainly want to know about this one.
Another beauty, Norman; thank you!