The Galaxy Playlist

Heinrich Schütz

Grayson Hurst (Evangelist), John Osendorf (Jesus), Amor Artis Chorale, Johannes Somary, cond.

St. Matthew Passion

Classical, early Baroque, a capella music for solo voices with choir, liturgical

Newport Classic, 1989

Schütz serves as the bridge between the early Renaissance and the baroque inventions of Bach; in fact, he was one of Bach's primary influences. This work was composed in 1666, and reflects the Lutheran liturgical tradition of singing the traditional Passion a capella, and often featuring single voices singing their lines solo. But the lines are still beautiful, and these solo lines heightens the beauty of the choir when the choir does join in. It is a rare treat to hear works such as this.

Johann Sebastian Bach

Taverner Consort and Players, Andrew Parrot, cond., -w- Emily Van Evera (sop), Caroline Trevor (alto), Charles Daniels (ten), Peter Kooy (bar)

Oster-Oratorio (Easter Oratorio), BWV 249

Classical, Baroque Era, Choral with solo voices and orchestra

Virgin Classics, 1994

First written in 1725 during Bach's posting as Cantor of the Thomasschule in Leipzig, the final post of his career

William Bryd (1543 - 1623)

The Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks, dir.

Mass for 4 voices

Classical, Renaissance Era, Choral

London, 1963

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Collegium Vocale/ La Chapelle Royale, Orchestre Des Champs Élysées, Philippe Herreweghe, dir., -w- Christaine Oelze, Gennifer Larmore, sop, Scot Weir, tenor, Peter Kooy, bass

Mass in C Minor, K. 427 ("Great")

Classical, Classical Era, Catholic Mass for solo voices with choir and orchestra

Harmonia Mundi, 1992

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525 - 1594)

The Tallis Scholars, Peter Phillips, dir.

Missa Brevis

Classical, Renaissance Era, Choral, Catholic Mass in 4 parts

Gimel, 1986

Johann Sebastian Bach

Taverner Consort and Players, Andrew Parrot, cond., -w- Emily Van Evera (sop), Caroline Trevor (alto), Charles Daniels (ten), David Thomas (bass)

Christ Lag in Todes Banden, BWV 4

Classical, Baroque Era, Choral with solo voices and orchestra

Virgin Classics, 1994

An Easter Cantata. Written in 1707-1708 while Bach worked as an organist in Mühlhausen, the first post of his career, and carries a notably earlier style than most of his later works.