De Lange: Requiem

Gronostay, Uwe, Netherlands Chamber Choir

96106

Daniël de Lange was born to a Rotterdam family of musicians. His father, Samuel de Lange, was organist at the city's Laurens Church, of whom Daniël received lessons on the piano and organ. At the age of fourteen, De Lange left for Brussels, where he continued his musical education. Three years later, in 1858, he took up residence in Vienna for a short time, enthusiastically immersing himself in the city's musical life. In 1865 he settled in Paris, where he became a church organist. Among his responsibilities in this post were the conducting of the choir, of the singing of chorales and of performances of oratorios. In 1871 he returned to Amsterdam where he was one of the founders of the Conservatory. Highly interested in Musicology and Music History he formed an A Cappella choir performing Renaissance vocal works.

The “Requiem” (1868) may be considered a monument of nineteenth-century a cappella choral music. Set for two four-part choirs and two four-part solo ensembles (consisting of soprano, alto, tenor and bass), the work seems to reflect the choral practice of the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. The musical idiom, however, was entirely new for its time and is clearly imbued with the composer's personal touch, offering a wide range of expressive qualities and moods, making the text portrayal exceptionally suggestive.

Also included in the program are Motets by Julius Röntgen, written for the Thomaskirche in Leipzig.

Performed by the Netherlands Chamber Choir, one of the top vocal ensembles of the world, here conducted by Uwe Gronostay.

The booklet contains liner notes in English and Dutch, as well as the sung texts.

An important reissue from the NM Classics label, the label of Classical Music from The Netherlands.

CD x 1

Brilliant Classics

1.10.2021

5028421961064