Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of sacred choral music with the Westminster Cathedral Choir's 1997 album, "Vierne, Widor & Dupré: Choral Music." This exquisite collection showcases the choir's exceptional artistry and the profound compositions of three eminent French organists and composers: Louis Vierne, Charles-Marie Widor, and Marcel Dupré.
The album is a harmonious blend of sacred works, featuring the Messe solennelle and Messe à deux choeurs et deux orgues by Vierne and Widor, respectively, along with Dupré's Quatre motets. Each piece is a testament to the composers' mastery of choral writing and their deep reverence for the sacred texts they set to music.
The Westminster Cathedral Choir, conducted by James O'Donnell, delivers a performance of stunning precision and emotional resonance. Their voices soar and blend seamlessly, creating a sound that is both powerful and ethereal. The choir's interpretation of these works is marked by a deep understanding of the music's spiritual and emotional depth, making for a listening experience that is both uplifting and profound.
The album's duration of just over an hour offers a comprehensive journey through these sacred works, with each track building upon the last to create a cohesive and immersive musical experience. Whether you're a fan of choral music, a student of sacred music history, or simply someone seeking a moment of peace and reflection, this album is sure to captivate and inspire.
Messe solennelle, Op. 16: I. KyrieLouis Vierne, James O'Donnell, Andrew Reid, Joseph Cullen, Westminster Cathedral Choir
Messe solennelle, Op. 16: II. GloriaLouis Vierne, Andrew Reid, James O'Donnell, Westminster Cathedral Choir, Joseph Cullen
Messe solennelle, Op. 16: III. SanctusLouis Vierne, Andrew Reid, Joseph Cullen, James O'Donnell, Westminster Cathedral Choir
Messe solennelle, Op. 16: IV. BenedictusLouis Vierne, James O'Donnell, Andrew Reid, Joseph Cullen, Westminster Cathedral Choir
Messe solennelle, Op. 16: V. Agnus DeiLouis Vierne, James O'Donnell, Andrew Reid, Joseph Cullen, Westminster Cathedral Choir
Tantum ergoLouis Vierne, Joseph Cullen, James O'Donnell, Westminster Cathedral Choir
Ave MariaLouis Vierne, James O'Donnell, Joseph Cullen, Westminster Cathedral Choir
4 Motets, Op. 9: I. O salutaris hostiaMarcel Dupré, James O'Donnell, Joseph Cullen, Westminster Cathedral Choir
4 Motets, Op. 9: II. Tantum ergoMarcel Dupré, Andrew Reid, James O'Donnell, Joseph Cullen, Westminster Cathedral Choir
4 Motets, Op. 9: III. Ave MariaMarcel Dupré, James O'Donnell, Joseph Cullen, Westminster Cathedral Choir
4 Motets, Op. 9: IV. Laudate DominumMarcel Dupré, Westminster Cathedral Choir, James O'Donnell, Joseph Cullen, Andrew Reid
Messe à 2 chœurs et 2 orgues, Op. 36: I. KyrieCharles-Marie Widor, The Hyperion Chorus of Baritones, Joseph Cullen, Westminster Cathedral Choir, James O'Donnell, Andrew Reid
Messe à 2 chœurs et 2 orgues, Op. 36: II. GloriaCharles-Marie Widor, James O'Donnell, Andrew Reid, Westminster Cathedral Choir, The Hyperion Chorus of Baritones, Joseph Cullen
Messe à 2 chœurs et 2 orgues, Op. 36: III. SanctusCharles-Marie Widor, Andrew Reid, Westminster Cathedral Choir, Joseph Cullen, James O'Donnell, The Hyperion Chorus of Baritones
Messe à 2 chœurs et 2 orgues, Op. 36: IV. BenedictusCharles-Marie Widor, Andrew Reid, Westminster Cathedral Choir, The Hyperion Chorus of Baritones, Joseph Cullen, James O'Donnell
Messe à 2 chœurs et 2 orgues, Op. 36: V. Agnus DeiCharles-Marie Widor, Joseph Cullen, James O'Donnell, Andrew Reid, The Hyperion Chorus of Baritones, Westminster Cathedral Choir
Tu es Petrus, Op. 23 No. 2Charles-Marie Widor, Joseph Cullen, James O'Donnell, Andrew Reid, The Hyperion Chorus of Baritones, Westminster Cathedral Choir
Tantum ergo, Op. 18 No. 1Charles-Marie Widor, James O'Donnell, Joseph Cullen, The Hyperion Chorus of Baritones, Westminster Cathedral Choir
Surrexit a mortuis, Op. 23 No. 3Charles-Marie Widor, Joseph Cullen, James O'Donnell, Andrew Reid, Westminster Cathedral Choir