Royal Northern Sinfonia: Bruckner's Second Mass

Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia; Royal Northern Sinfonia; Alison Gill, piano; Tim Burke, conductor

Johannes Brahms: O schöne Nacht! from 4 Quartets
Robert Schumann (arr. Tim Burke): In der Nacht from Spanisches Liederspiel
Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel (arr. Denis Rouger): Zauberkreis
Gabriel Fauré: Le ruisseau
Maurice Ravel (arr. Roderick Williams): Adagio from Piano Concerto in G Major
Lili Boulanger: Hymne au soleil
Anton Bruckner: Mass No. 2 in E minor

Bruckner's Second Mass was first performed outdoors in a town square in Linz. Some say the unusual setting inspired adding wind instruments to help the sound carry. Either way, they meld with voices seamlessly, from delicate oboe to glowing brass. Uplifting and majestic, the music spans quiet thoughtfulness and full-throated celebration. Plus works from Fauré, Ravel, and Brahms showing the full range of the human voice.