Re: Easing into choral works


"Derek Hollman" <dhollman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1130641901.260066.115540@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Hey all,
> I have been thinking lately that my collection contains almost no
> choral works, and that I should probably pick some up. The small
> little bit of choral works I have is the choral singing in Beethoven's
> 9th and the women's voices in Holst's Neptune. Other than that, I have
> been pretty much avoiding choral works (especially opera) til now. I
> guess my question is what are some good works/composers for easing
> myself into choral works? My biggest gripe that I had in the past with
> choral works was not being able to understand them (different language,
> not appreciating the singers/performers, etc.).
>
> One of the main reasons I brought this topic up was that I was
> exploring some previous recommendations on a topic I posted a while
> ago. In it, someone recommended to me Manuel de Falla (Three cornered
> hat, El Amor Brujo, etc.), which has singers in it. I figured I might
> be missing out on some great music if I avoided it once again because
> of the singing, so I'm going to order it and try it out (have not
> ordered it as of now).
>
> So, if you guys know of any compositions to help ease me into
> enjoying choral works, please let me know. Or, if there is no way of
> "easing" oneself into this medium, what are some of the warhorses?
> (Recommended recordings are always welcome) If this helps, I liked how
> Holst used voices for ending Neptune (especially since they weren't
> singing any words) and the fugue in Beethoven's 9th. Also, my previous
> post which lists the small amount I own and why I like it can be found
> at

The best way to "ease into" choral music is to sing it. If you don't sing,
I recommend a disc containing choruses of Handel's Messiah, another of the
whole Faure Requiem, preferably one with the Cantique de Jean Racine and/or
the Pavane added to it. If those don't do it for you, I suggest you stop
looking; choral music is probably not for you.

Norm Strong


.

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