Kodály Missa Brevis
Recorded on their 1997 European tour in Northern Italy and Germany, the Choir of Ormond College sings Kodály’s Missa Brevis, with works by Tye, Howells and Bach.
Herbert Howells composer
Zoltán Kodály composer
Christopher Tye composer
Recorded on the choir’s 1997 European tour, this disc features Kodály’s magnificent Missa Brevis, Christopher Tye’s Missa Euge Bone, Herbert Howells’ Three Latin Church Motets and Bach’s motet for double choir Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf.
Kodály’s Missa Brevis, composed in the dark years of World War II, carries haunting melodies that reflect both the horror of the period and his deep understanding of the voice. Soaring solos sit beside full-choir writing of real drama and passion.
The Missa Brevis was recorded in the 17th-century Martinskirche near Lake Constance in southern Germany, with Thomas Heywood at a Rieger organ. The Tye, Howells and Bach were recorded in the 15th-century Santa Maria Bressanoro in northern Italy.
Reviews
Throughout this seldom recorded repertoire, the choir exhibits good intonation, particularly in the a cappella works, and a real sense of artistry, bringing a crisp and precise style to bear on this often difficult music. Kodály’s mighty Missa Brevis, composed in 1944, gives the choir ample opportunity to showcase its excellent solo singers.
the highlight of the disc – a beautifully modulated and expressive performance of Bach’s joyous motet Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit … With no reservations, this is a disc to delight lovers of fine choral singing.
Artists
Herbert Howells
Herbert Howells wrote Anglican church music of rare harmonic warmth and contemplative beauty, from carol-anthems such as A Spotless Rose to Latin motets and organ works steeped in the Tudor tradition.
Zoltán Kodály
Kodály's music carries folk melody and eastern European colour into masses, solo cello works of fierce technical demand, and piano pieces that range from Debussian meditation to the storm of the Marosszék Dances.
Christopher Tye
Christopher Tye (c. 1505–before 1573) was an English Renaissance composer and organist, noted for sacred choral music and chamber polyphony. Only a fraction of his output survives, among it masses, anthems and a celebrated series of In nomines.
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) was a German composer and organist of the late Baroque. His sacred and secular music for choir, orchestra, organ and solo instruments remains among the foundations of the Western concert and church repertory.
The Choir of Ormond College
The Choir of Ormond College has, since its founding in 1982 under Douglas Lawrence, become the first Australian choir to earn ongoing international recognition for its concert and recorded work.
Douglas Lawrence
Melbourne organist Douglas Lawrence is Director of Music at The Scots' Church and Teacher of the Organ at the University of Melbourne. He founded the Choir of Ormond College and directed it from 1982 to 2006.
Thomas Heywood
Thomas Heywood is one of Australia’s most sought-after concert organists, with an enviable reputation as a leading interpreter of the large-scale romantic and transcription repertoire on grand historic instruments.
Audio preview
Tracks
- Kyrie Octavi Toni 2:46
- Gloria 4:40
- Credo 4:05
- Sanctus et Benedictus 4:53
- Agnus Dei (four verses) 4:20
- Salve Regina 4:02
- Regina Cæli 3:19
- Nunc Dimittis 2:52
- Verse 1 3:24
- Verse 2 2:06
- Chorale 1:35
- Introitus 3:10
- Kyrie 2:03
- Gloria 3:55
- Credo 4:49
- Sanctus 2:11
- Benedictus 3:03
- Agnus Dei 5:03
- Ite Missa est 3:34
Missa Euge Bone Christopher Tye
Three Latin Church Motets Herbert Howells
Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf Johann Sebastian Bach
Missa Brevis Zoltán Kodály
Performers
- The Choir of Ormond College
- Douglas Lawrence · director
- Thomas Heywood · tracks 12–19
Contributors
Liner notes
Douglas Lawrence
Melbourne organist Douglas Lawrence is Director of Music at The Scots' Church and Teacher of the Organ at the University of Melbourne. He founded the Choir of Ormond College and directed it from 1982 to 2006.
Liner notes
Grantley McDonald
Grantley McDonald is a Melbourne tenor whose catalogue work centres on mediaeval and renaissance vocal repertoire with specialist early-music ensembles.
Where to listen
Kodály Missa Brevis is available for streaming through Spotify and Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.
Kodály Missa Brevis is available as a CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer online ordering.
Product details
- Catalogue number
- MD 3201
- List price
- $25.00 AUD
- Total playing time
- 65 minutes 50 seconds
- Recording Engineer
- Vaughan McAlley
- Editing Engineer
- Vaughan McAlley
- Mastering Engineer
- Martin Wright
- Credit
- Douglas Lawrence
Grantley McDonald - Release date
- 1998
- Musical work
copyright - © 1998 Move Records
- Sound recording
copyright - ℗ 1998 Move Records
- Categories
- Choral, Classical
- Genres
- Choral & Sacred, Contemporary Classical
- Barcode
- EAN 9314574320121
Related recordings
Laughing
The internationally acclaimed Choir of Ormond College, directed by Douglas Lawrence, turns to the lighter side of a cappella singing across jazz, madrigal and spiritual repertoire.
The Choir of Ormond College Live
A live retrospective for the Choir of Ormond College’s twenty-first year, gathering concert recordings from 1985 to 2000 under Douglas Lawrence, from Britten’s Festival Te Deum and Fauré’s Requiem to Bach, Palestrina, Poulenc and lively encores.
Music from Heaven
The Choir of Ormond College, directed by Douglas Lawrence, in a highly acclaimed programme of unaccompanied sacred works by Allegri, Byrd, Poulenc, Britten, Barber and J.S. Bach.
Bach Byrd Britten
The Choir of Ormond College, directed by Douglas Lawrence, presents Bach, Byrd and Britten. Bach’s motet Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden and Byrd’s Mass for Four Voices stand beside Britten’s Five Flower Songs and A Ceremony of Carols.