Every so often on The Choral Mix we want to hear the great choral masterworks from start to finish. Today on the show, you’ll hear Fauré’s Requiem a work that transports us into a state of peace, calm and assurance. We pair that with short works of the contemporary composer, Arvo Pärt. His pieces are sublime much like Fauré’s in that they have the power to transfix and transport us.

We hear two favorite movements from Pärt’s hauntingly beautiful Berliner Mass - the Kyrie and Veni Sancte Spiritus with Tonu Kaljuste leading the Estonian Chamber Choir. Listen for the influences of Gregorian chant and medieval music. Rounding out the show is Pärt’s Beatitudes with the Choir of St Ignatius Loyola and Nancianne Parrella at the organ.

Playlist:

Arvo Pärt: Berliner Messe
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Tonu Kaljuste, conductor
ECM

Gabriel Faure: Requiem, Op. 48
I. Introit & Kyrie
II. Offertory
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Chorus
Robert Shaw, conductor
Telarc

Gabriel Faure: Messe de Requiem, Op. 48, pour soprano, baryton, choeur et orchestre
La Chapelle Royale
Les Petits Chanteurs de Saint-Louis
Ensemble Musique Oblique
Philippe Herreweghe, conductor
Harmonia Mundi France
III. Sanctus
IV. Pie Jesu
V. Agnus Dei
VI. Libera me
VII. In Paradisum

Arvo Pärt: The Beatitudes
Sacred Music in a Sacred Space
Choir of St. Ignatius Loyola
Kent Tritle, conductor
Candlewood Digital LLC