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Soothing Stuff 4
Sing!
Such sweet harmonies!
Big, rich choral music has always held a special place in composers’ music, often being reserved for religious purposes.
The sumptuous sounds often lend the music a transcendental quality.
When it comes to relaxation in music, there is nothing like the rich sounds of a big group of people singing in harmony.
While knowing the words might help you to absorb the extra-musical message (providing your Latin’s up to scratch),
you really only need to listen to the music to hear that something special.
1. Allegri – Miserere mei, deus
Apparently the Vatican held this mystical, almost surreal, music tightly within its confines for centuries. That was, until Mozart casually stole it... The story runs that he memorised the whole thing in one hearing and wrote it out - note for note - later on. Genius delivering genius!
2. Bach – Cantata No. 147: Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben - 10. Chorale, Jesus bliebet meine Freude (Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring)
3. Bach - St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 - Choral, O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden (O Head full of Blood and Wounds)
Bach was a very devoted Christian. Who else would dedicate his life and hundreds of pieces of music to the one and only? Bach’s musical fans reckon he had a direct line, and you’d have to agree after hearing music like this.
4. Berlioz – L’enfance du Christ, Deuxième partie, La Fuite en Egypte - Choeur des Bergers (Shepherds’ Farewell)
A choir sings a rustic goodbye to Jesus in this rare work by Berlioz.
5. Brahms – Ein deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem), op.45 - 4. Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen, Herr Zebaoth! (How amiable are Thy tabernacles)
God knows what tabernacles are, but the music is definitely amiable.
6. Fauré – Cantique de Jean Racine, op.11
7. Fauré – Requiem, op.48 - VII. In paradisum
Fauré was a bit more earthly in his approach to god. His is the passionate approach to getting a good spot in heaven. It is ecstatically spiritual.
8. Mozart – Ave Verum Corpus in D major, K578
9. Mozart – Requiem Mass in d minor, K 626 - III Sequentia, 6. Lacrimosa
Mozart’s god music is stunning, even by his high standards, conveying something of his awesome musical gifts and frail humanity. With music of surprising simplicity and a great melody, Mozart delivers some beautiful sermons in music.
10. Rachmaninov – Vespers (All Night Vigil) - 2. Blagoslovi, Dushe Moya (Bless the Lord, O My Soul)
Nothing quite compares with the floating, ethereal qualities of a big Russian choir singing this music.
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