Lesser known works of sacred music

Classical music, like any other discipline or industry, has its war horses—those musical works performed and recorded most often, works which are frequently referenced (at least in conversation amongst musicians) with a rather assuming tone of familiarity. Talk repertoire with a member of any professional orchestra, and you’re likely to hear nicknames like “Beethoven 9″, “Tchaik 6″, “Scheherazade”, “Don Juan” or (this one’s especially fun) “the Rach-Pag”, slang for Rachmoninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. The same holds true for the sub-genre of sacred music. Veteran members of the choral community have sung “The Messiah” dozens of times. And then there’s Elijah, the Brahms, Verdi, Mozart, and Faure Requiems, Missa Solemnis, “The War Requiem” and the list goes on. It’s only natural; these works make up the core of a cannon that, deservedly, gets repeated exposure year after year. But what about the “B” list of sacred works? Read more

July 14, 2007 | Filed Under Lesser known musical works | 8 Comments