The complete Part-Songs for a cappella mixed chorus.

Songlist: Sechs Lieder In Freien Zu Singen Op 59., Aus Sechs Lieder Op. 88, Vier Lieder Op.100, Sechs Lieder Im Freien Zu Singen Op. 41, Sechs Lieder In Freien Zu Singen Op. 48

"It is an art to conceal art" : Mendelssohn had never presented a more perfect illustration of this maxim than in his Motets, Op.69. Composed in the year of his death, they are probably the finest works of religious music by this composer whom Berlioz had accused of being "a little too fond of the dead". But the most romantic of Bach's votaries had more than one trick up his sleeve and it would be a mistake to underestimate these extraodinary psalms and motets that Mendelssohn went on producing throughout his life, in spite of his rather strained relationship with the eccelsiastic authorities. Tradition and inventiveness are the leading principles of an artistic credo based on the skilful and beguiling mixture of counterpoint and melody, of harmony and brilliant orchestration. After having devoted three universally acclaimed recordings to the choral music of Brahms, the RIAS-Kammerchor is here on familiar ground

Songlist: Psalm 100: "Jauchzet dem Herrn alle Welt", Psalm 2 op. 78 Nr. 1: "Warum toben die Heiden", Psalm 43 op. 78 Nr. 2: "Richte mich, Gott", Psalm 22 op. 78 Nr. 3: "Mein Gott, warum hast du mich verlassen?", Choralmotette op. 23 Nr. 3: "Mitten wir im Leben sind", Motette op. 69 Nr. 1: "Herr, nun lassest du deinen Diener in Frieden fahren", Motette op. 69 Nr. 2: "Jachzet dem Herm alle Welt", Motette op. 69 Nr. 3: "Mein Herz erhebet Gott, den Herrn", Missa breve, Zum Abendsegen: "Herr, sei gnadig unserm Flehn"

Nowhere is Mendelssohn's creative psyche more poignantly exposed than in his choral works. His desire to create music rewarding for performers and listeners alike is everywhere apparent, as is his always mellifluous and gracious vocal writing. Most endearing of all are Mendelssohn's worlds of dreamlike contentment, which cocoon the listener in a web of enchanted idealism. Hor mein Bitten (Hear my prayer) is the most popular of his small-scale choral works and was composed during Mendelssohn's eighth visit to England in 1844, just before he began putting the finishing touches to his violin concerto. The piece conjures up the feelings of peace and contentment in the flowing melodic lines of the inimitable O for the wings of a dove, which is also on this disc in its famous English adaptation. All of these sacred works are radiantly performed by The Choir of St John's College, Cambridge under David Hill in the first of a new series of recordings on the Hyperion label.

Songlist: Aus Tiefer Not, Ave Maria, Mitten Wir Im Leben Sind, Hor Mein Bitten, Warum Toben Die Harden, Richte Mich Gott, Zum Abendsegen, Kyrie Eleison, Helig Helig Ist Gott Der Herr Zebaoth, Ehre Sei Gott in Der Hohe, Verleih Uns Frieden, O For The Wings