SKU: CA.5165249

Key: D minor. Latin.

The English conductor and composer Howard Arman has presented us with a completed version of Mozart’s Requiem. “Another one?” you might ask, since this publication is only the latest in a long line reaching back to the traditional Süßmayr version. Yet such is the enormous power of Mozart’s score that the challenge and appeal of completing it remain undiminished. After two decades of intensive study, Howard Arman’s additions to Mozart’s great original show the requisite care and respect while incorporating many new insights.

Arman’s approach is particularly fruitful. Always aware of the appropriate limits to such re-creative work, he orients himself towards the typical characteristics of Mozart’s brilliant composing style: The masterly compositional technique, the search for innovative solutions to every problem, and even the terse treatment of the text with extremely suggestive harmonies. All of this leads to a number of new listening experiences. In the Tuba mirum, for example, we enjoy a warm, cohesive ensemble sound, supported by the bassoons, which depart from the bass line. The Confutatis presents a quite different picture: Even the basset horns are drawn down into the infernal depths. This effect is reinforced by the independence of the trombones; rather than simply following the choral parts, the instrument’s unique sound is given an opportunity to shine. Arman’s Lacrimosa achieves a lively Mozartian feel by granting the voices considerable freedom rather than following a rigid pattern. And he concludes the movement with a fugal Amen, whereby the focus is not so much on the counterpoint itself, but rather – in the spirit of Mozart – on creating a sense of drama and illuminating the theme in all its possible facets. Mozart’s fragment ends with the Hostias, and so does Arman’s completion.

For the four following movements (Sanctus to Communio) we have nothing from Mozart, and so here, where the master is silent, Arman finally returns to Süßmayr, the man who was closest to Mozart at the time of his death and whose efforts to fill the blank manuscripts still garner our respect today.

Arman’s version has already proven its practical value. The premiere with the Bavarian Radio Choir was enthusiastically received by audiences and press alike – and celebrated as offering a scholarly, entirely fresh perspective on Mozart’s masterpiece.

- World premiere by the Bavarian Radio Choir
- Enthusiastically received by audience and press.

SKU: FG.042-09102-9

ISBN 979-0-042-09102-9.

The Englund piano quintet from 1941 abounds in youthful energy. It could be regarded as a study in advanced contrapuntal technique, complete with imitation, strict canons and fugatos. In keeping with the great Romantic piano quintets, the piano dominates and calls for a player with not only a brilliant technique but also an ability to make the clusters of piano notes tone in with the dynamic level of the strings.

SKU: CA.3123205

ISBN 9790007172299. Language: Latin.

Bach's B minor Mass is among the greatest and most ambitious works of all time. The various stages of composition of the Mass occupied the composer for over two decades: beginning with the Sanctus (1724), by way of the Missa of 1733, to the remaining movements of the Ordinary, which were composed during his last years. Thus the Mass, in its wealth of forms with arias, duets, as well as concertante and fugal choruses, displays the essence of Bach's skill and personal style. The greatest musical work of art of all times and all peoples (to quote the enthusiastic Hans Georg Nageli, who first edited the Mass in 1818) and one of the most demanding choral works in the repertoire is presented by Frieder Bernius, the Kammerchor Stuttgart and the Barockorchester Stuttgart in a stellar recording based on the principles of historical performance practice (Carus 83.211). Awarded the Gramophone - Editor's Choice. Score available separately - see item CA.3123200.

SKU: M7.DOHR-13934

ISBN 9790202029343.

SKU: BO.B.1982

SKU: M7.DOHR-20486

ISBN 9790202044865.

Louis Vierne komponierte seine Orchestersymphonie im Sommer 1907 in Juziers. Wie kaum ein zweites Werk zeugt sie von den Schicksalsschlägen des Komponisten: Von Geburt an fast blind musste Vierne nicht nur die Trennung von seiner Frau, sondern auch die Folgen eines schweren Verkehrsunfalles verarbeiten. Der erste Satz zählt mit seinen 600 Takten zu den längsten Sonatenhauptsatzformen, die Vierne jemals schrieb. Das Lamento ist eine der berührendsten musikalischen Äußerungen des Komponisten. Das Scherzo - ein wenig an den Zauberlehrling von Paul Dukas erinnernd - präsentiert sich am Schluss als poesievolles Fugato mit Anklängen an das Hauptthema des Finales. Das Finale wirkt in seinem Optimismus wie ein neuerliches Hinwenden zum Leben - trotz allem. (Thomas Schmögner).

SKU: CA.2300511

ISBN 9790007246884. Key: C major. German. Text: von Matthisson, Friedrich.

Today best known for his comic operas such as Zar und Zimmermann and Der Waffenschmied, Albert Lortzing was also a composer of sacred music. In 1822, inspired by the performances of great choral symphonic works at the Lower Rhine Music Festival, Lortzing, then aged only 21 years old, ventured to set a sacred anthem to music: In his Dich preist, Allmächtiger (Praise to you, Almighty) for four-part choir, soloists and orchestra, his love of opera shines through with memorable melodies, striking instrumentation and an expressive and diverse musical design that conjure up diverse scenes for the listener. The palette ranges from powerful wind passages praising God’s omnipotence to 'classical' fugati and intimate solo and ensemble passages with transparent accompaniment.

The Urtext edition – in fact the first printed version of the work – is based on autograph sources. Drawing on the preparatory work and practical experience of church musician and conductor Wolfgang Helbich, this edition was completed by his son, the musicologist Martin Helbich. Vocal score and performance materials are also available.

SKU: CA.5453012

ISBN 9790007226169. Language: Latin.

The names of Michael Haydn's masses are associated either with a specific commission or with the composition's dedicatee. Thus, Haydn composed the Missa in honorem Sti. Gotthardi, also known as the Admont Mass, for the Admont Abbey located in the region of Styria, Austria, where Gotthard Kuglmayr was the Abbot. The mass combines formal concentration with liturgical function. The songlike melody, the unity of the motivic material, and the balanced harmony of solemn and lyrical passages show how intensively Haydn concerned himself with the genre. Due to its length and its orchestration the mass can be considered a type of missa solemnis. Fugues and fugal movements are completely missing from the Missa Admontis as is any kind of contrapuntal (including imitative) composition. In so doing, Haydn assured that the required understanding of the liturgical text would be achieved. Score and part available separately - see item CA.5453000.

SKU: CA.5453019

ISBN 9790007145378. Language: Latin.

The names of Michael Haydn's masses are associated either with a specific commission or with the composition's dedicatee. Thus, Haydn composed the Missa in honorem Sti. Gotthardi, also known as the Admont Mass, for the Admont Abbey located in the region of Styria, Austria, where Gotthard Kuglmayr was the Abbot. The mass combines formal concentration with liturgical function. The songlike melody, the unity of the motivic material, and the balanced harmony of solemn and lyrical passages show how intensively Haydn concerned himself with the genre. Due to its length and its orchestration the mass can be considered a type of missa solemnis. Fugues and fugal movements are completely missing from the Missa Admontis as is any kind of contrapuntal (including imitative) composition. In so doing, Haydn assured that the required understanding of the liturgical text would be achieved. Score and parts available separately - see item CA.5453000.