The two extremes in sacred music are lamenting and praising. In their take on the subjects, the Rockefeller Chapel Choir, led by Randi Von Ellefson, chose pieces from the Renaissance and the 20th century. There are several settings of the Lamentations of Jeremiah including that of Palestrina and di Lasso. There is a lovely Easter Anthem by William Billings as well as beautiful psalm settings by Stanley Hoffman. On this CD the choir alternates lamentation with exultation. Daniel Pinkham's striking 'Here Repose, O Broken Body' provides quiet and thoughtful ending to an emotionally varied recording.

German church music goes back to Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation. Luther's love of music has influenced German composers for centuries. In the 20th century, this was no exception. The composers chosen for this recording all use Luther's chorale melodies, though with newer harmonies which lend themselves to fresher musical and textual expression. This recording includes motets by Hugo Distler and Johann Nepomuk David. All of the works are beautifully sung by the Rockefeller Chapel Choir.