1 Psalm 100: Jauchzet dem Herrn, alle Welt, MWV B 45
Three Psalm Motets, Op. 78
2 No. 1, Psalm 2: Warum toben die Heiden, MWV B 41
3 No. 2, Psalm 43: Richte mich, Gott, MWV B 46
4 No. 3, Psalm 22: Mein Gott, warum hast du mich verlassen, MWV B 51
Two sacred choruses, Op. 115
5 No. 1, Beati mortui, for 4-part male choir and 4 soloists
6 No. 2, Periti autem
from Die Deutsche Liturgie, MWV B 57
7 No. 3, Kyrie
8 No. 4, Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe
9 No. 10, Heilig
10 Zum Abendsegen: Herr, sei gnädig
11 Hebe deine Augen auf from Elias
12 Denn er hat seinen Engeln befohlen über dir, MWV B 53
Three Motets, Op. 69
13 No. 1, Herr, nun lässest du deinen Diener in Frieden fahren, MWV B 60
14 No. 2, Jauchzet dem Herrn, alle Welt, MWV B 58
15 No. 3, Mein Herz erhebet Gott, den Herrn, MWV B 59
16 Heilig, MWV B 47
The MDR Leipzig Radio Choir and its artistic director Philipp Ahmann present a collection of Felix Mendelssohn’s choral music, which arguably represents the pinnacle of German nineteenth-century religious music. Ranging across psalm settings, motets, Latin verses, the Deutsche Liturgie as well as the ethereal chorus Denn er hat seinen Engeln befohlen, which was later adapted and incorporated into his oratorio Elijah, the album highlights the unique stylistic range and expressive power of Mendelssohn’s choral output. A unique addition to the programme is the world premiere recording of Heilig, MWV 47. The music on this albumseamlessly integrates stylistic traits of Palestrina and Bach, remnants of Jewish cantor practices, as well as the Romanticism of Mendelssohn’s time. Generally considered one of the best choirs in the German-speaking world, the singers of the MDR Leipzig Radio Choir are proficient in this repertoire, written by a local musical giant whose music is deeply ingrained into the cultural soil of their city.