The six German men who call themselves Die Singphoniker are virtuosos who specialize in very difficult pieces, from Gregorian chant to the Avantgarde, in this case bringing us some rarely-heard works of Romantic European music, partsongs by Richard Strauss and Max Reger. New interpreters of vocal chamber music of the 19th century, the group's success is measured in many awards and rave reviews: its last five CDs have received prizes. Included are 20 pieces, favorites are "Frohlich im Maien," "Hut du dich!," "Liebe op. 42,1," and Der Brauttanz op. 45,3" by Strauss; and "Liebchens Bote," Frohsinn op. 38,5," "Hochsommernacht op. 83,5" and "Minnelied op. 83,7" by Reger. Difficult, eclectic choral music, effortlessly and beautifully performed.

Die Singphoniker, six talented German male singers, love to perform in concert and they love 19th century vocal chamber music, and audiences and judges clearly enjoy listening to them follow their hearts! Here we are treated to 23 such works by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-1847). All are delightful, but some particular favorites are "Turkisches Schenkenlied," "Sommerlied," "Liebe und Wein," "Wanderlied," "Trinklied," "Abschiedstafel,""Jagdgesang," "Lob der Trunkenheit," and "Worauf kommt es uberall an." Beautiful, rarely-performed material, sung with spirit and panache by one of the world's finest male sextets.

Focussing on little-known and rarely performed Romantic European vocal chamber music of the 19th century, the 6 men of Singphoniker bring us 12 difficult works by Gioacchino Rossini (1792-1868), and two by Franz Schubert, "La Pastorella" and "Der Gondelfahrer." Some favorites are "Chant funebre" (which includes some drums), "La Notte di Santo Natale," (with piano), "Choeur de chasseurs democrates," "L'invito," "La Danza," "Un Sou," and "Overture Guillaume Tell" (with piano). It's very clear, especially in this last cut, with the addition of silly sound effects, that the group is having big fun on stage and not taking themselves or the material too seriously. Good stuff!

This release from the remarkable male vocal group is a celebration of the intimate connection between music and Christmas throughout the world, regardless of different customs and languages. In this case the focus is on Europe, but the point is that no other celebration is so closely associated with such an abundant repertoire of songs, many of which are shared and often adapted to suit a particular culture or tradition. As usual, the six singers (plus a couple of "guests" on several tracks) perform first-rate arrangements (especially those by ensemble member Ludwig Thomas) of hymns and carols, including "Adeste fideles", "Es ist ein Ros entsprungen", "Quelle est cette odeur agréable", and "Stille Nacht". Along the way we hear other songs (many less-familiar) from Norway, Italy, England, the Netherlands, and Catalonia.

With a tradition going back to the 13th century this highly regarded boyschoir, with its full compliment of 120 voices is ideally suited to large scale compositions. The accoustics of the Kreuzirche contribute to a romantic sound even when the emphasis is on transparency, subtly shading of expression and clarity of articulation. Apart from sacred composistions by Johannes Bach, Asnton Buckner and Max Reger, all masterpieces of romantic choral music, this program also includes some lesser-known composers. Among them are Heinrich Kaminski, director of the Berlin Choir, whose works were banned by the Nazis.

The songs on this recording rangs from simple numbers like " Glück auf!" (the miners call of good luck) and " Der Mond ist aufgegangen" (the moon has risen) to variant forms with astringent harmonies, like Max Reger's " Bald gras ich am Neckar". The artful polyphony of " Es geht ein dunkle Wolk" in the setting by Hugo Distler and in Ludwig Senff's "Entlaubet ist der Walde" also shows how fruitfully composers of various periods have engaged themselves with folk songs. Beautifully sung, well recorded, all a cappella.

Founded in 1992 and not associated with any religion or institution, Holzgerlingen, Germany-based Capella Vocalis performs religious and secular music in churches as well as in other venues. "Christ ist Geboren" (Christ is born) is a nice collection of 25 Christmas songs (sung all in German, and by mostly German composers, with some light accompaniment) that feature the angelic voices of this talented boys' choir. J. Heinrich Lutzel's "Machet die Tore weit," Michael Praetorius' "Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen," W. Herrmann's "O schlafe, schlafe, gottlinger Knabe" and Franz Gruber's "Stille Nacht, heilage Nacht" give us a sweet taste of what the spirited young voices of Capella Vocalis can do.

From Elgar’s Part Songs (1904) to one of Britten’s very last works, Sacred and Profane (1975), here are some of the most beautiful and best-loved pieces in the English a capella repertory, many of them rarely recorded. All the composers here show the instinctive response to poetry, be it Shakespeare, Tennyson or Auden, so characteristic of the English tradition.

Creed and his thirty-five choristers have an especially sensitive feeling for the pacing, phrasing, color, and texture of these richly Romantic miniatures. The blend of voices is impeccable and the tone-quality perfectly lovely. They are sensitive to word and phrase, responding all as one to their conductor's shading and shaping.

Berlin's acclaimed RIAS-Kammerchor brings us works by a pair of composers, Frank Martin (1890-1974) and Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992), who have few musical features in common, but their faith makes them two of the most important Christian composers of the 20th century. Martin's Mass for unaccompanied double choir is the profound profession of faith of a fervent Christian of our time. The "Cinq Rechants," Messiaen's last a cappella work, was thought of by him as "one of (his) best works." Included here are the 5 parts of Martin's "Mess pour double choeur a cappella" and the 5 movements of his "Song of Ariel;" and the 5 "Cinq Rechants" and "O sacrum convivium" by Messaien. This is deeply spiritual music, alternately lovely, surprising, difficult and eclectic, wonderfully performed by RIAS-Kammerchor.

At first listen, French composer Francis Poulenc would seem to have written his ethereal, polyphonic a cappella sacred music during the 15th century instead of the 20th. Polyphony came naturally to him. RIAS-Kammerchor, founded in 1948, helped the revival of the musical life in Berlin in partnership with the Berlin Radio Symphony and Berlin Philharmonic. Under director Marcus Creed the Choir has achieved elite status among German professional choirs. Included here are Poulenc's 4 motets, "Quatre motets pour un temps de penitence" (1938-39), "Exultate Deo" (1941), "Salve Regina" (1941), 4 Christmas motets, "Quatre motets pour le temps de Noel," and the 4-part "Messe en Sol majeur." Sometimes moody, sometimes soaring angelically, there can be no doubt of Poulenc's musical genius, perfectly expressed in the clear, effortless harmonies of RIAS-Kammerchor. Extensive, multilingual liner notes.

Born in Sussex, UK, and schooled at Cambridge, London and Oxford, Marcus Creed became chorusmaster at Deutsche Oper in Berlin, and was appointed artistic director of the elite RIAS-Kammerchor in 1987. "Nachtgesang" (Night Songs) is a collection of works by Franz Schubert (1797-1828), composer of an abundant body of choral music. In these 11 pieces with the common romantic theme of the night, Schubert is in his element, but surprisingly little importance is given to these masterly pieces. Monumental pieces like "Gesang der Geister uber den Wassern" will be juxtaposed with more descriptive pieces like "Der Gondelfahrer" and sweet, soaring arias like "Im Gegenwartigen Vergangenes." Some light accompaniment. Schubert is one of the greatest of all time, as is the RIAS-Kammerchor, and each of these songs, whether its focus be romantic or spiritual love, is a choral gem! Extensive, multilingual liner notes.

Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel and Andre Jolivet each wrote one composition for unaccompanied chorus. Olivier Messiaen produced two. His 1937 motet "O Sacrum Convivium" brings the mystifying sound of his organ works into the vocal medium, and 1948's "Cinq Rechants" has an esthetic all its own. Never before had anyone composed so radically for chorus. Andre Jolivet's 1953 "Epithalame" is similarly groundbreaking. The renowned composer and director Rupert Huber leads talented, 37-strong mixed-voice SWR Vokalensemble Stuttgart in this difficult, striking material. Here are 3 pieces by Debussy (our favorite: ), 3 by Maurice Ravel (our favorite: "Ronde,") 5 by Messiaen (Niokhama palalan souki), 3 by Jolivet (Au son de sa lyre, Allegro maestoso"), and one by Chausson, "Ballata pour quatour vocal op. 29." Unlike any choral music we've ever heard—stunning!

Rachmaninov’s passionate setting of the Russian “All Night Vigil” is to the Eastern Orthodox liturgy what Bach’s B Minor Mass is to the West. Consulting Rachmaninov’s manuscripts and correspondence, and working with Russian language and cultural specialists, the virtuoso SWR Vocal Ensemble, under the direction of Marcus Creed, has drawn upon every artistic source available to make this new recording of Rachmaninov’s transcendent Vespers.

The Petite Petite Messe solennelle is one of Rossini's last large-scale works. Even though a late work, and a religious work at that, Rossini manages to bring his sparkling wit and operatic flair to the proceedings. The present recording is the first CD recording of the original version for four voices accompanied by two pianos and harmonium. Rupert Huber and the SWR Vocal ensemble Stuttgart perform with style and commitment bringing their enthusiasm for “New Music” to this rediscovered masterwork.

Few composers have exercised as vigorous a political conscience as did the late Luigi Nono. Beginning his career as a dedicated 12-tone composer (and Schoenberg's son-in-law), Nono consciously sought to revolutionize both music and society in his large output. Significantly, many of Nono's compositions were highly expressive and individualistic settings of texts from authors as diverse as Nietzsche and Latino Labor Leader, Caesar Chavez, to the anonymous inscriptions of political prisoners. The miracle of Nono's music is the tremendous beauty and intensity he was able to forge using such disparate material. The compositions on this disc, masterfully performed by Rupert Huber and the Vokalensemble Stuttgart, are definitive readings of some of the most difficult choral music EVER composed. And yet, despite all the avant garde techniques, the sonic impact of these scores has the otherworldly beauty of Gregorian chant. Make no mistake; this is an essential recording of music by one of the 20th century's greatest composers!

Here is a highly intelligent collection of reflective and joyous music for the Christmas season! Soprano McFadden and Baritone Olaf Bar join the Mainz Cathedral Choir and Stuttgart Vocal Ensemble in this all-accompanied collection of some of the most beautiful, classical Christmas music of all time. Ten songs, the 3 movements of Michael Praetorius' "3 Motetten aus Polyhymnia Caduceatrix & Panegyrica," Bach's "aus dem Weihnachtsoratoium BWV 248 Hirtenmusik," Haydn's "Ein Magd, ein Dienerin," Otto Nicolai's "Weihnachtsouverture" and Benjamin Britten's "Men of Goodwill" are favorites. Wondrous Christmas pieces from the 16th to 20th centuries, sung by a multitude of talented voices.