This release on Brilliant
Classics contains the same performance
of Bruckner’s Mass No.1 in D minor,
for soloists, choir and orchestra that
was recently included on their all-Bruckner
triple CD set which included the three
Masses in: D minor, E minor,
F minor, the Te Deum in C and
the Psalm 150. These are fine
works and the performances are worthy
of recommendation so I am pleased to
see the Mass No.1 in D minor released
separately, although for the small extra
cost involved it would make good sense
to buy the triple boxed set on Brilliant
Classics 92002.
Bruckner worshiped
two main deities, the Catholic Church
of Rome and his older contemporary Richard
Wagner. In Bruckner’s writing the spirit
of Roman Catholicism finds exceptional
musical expression, rich both in intensity
and sincerity. It manages to transcend
its historical context finding relevance
in an expressive, inspiring and edifying
manner. The incredible impact of attending
Wagner’s operas led Bruckner to compose
orchestral and choral works with marked
Wagnerian accents in harmonic language
and orchestration generally on a colossal
scale. Bruckner held no ambition for
composing stage works, he preferred
to contain the essence of the majesty
and epic proportions of the Wagnerian
opera and music-drama in his symphonic
writing. In Bruckner’s sacred works
such as the three Masses, the
Psalm 150 and the Te Deum
we can hear many stylistic mannerisms
influenced by Wagner.
Next to the symphony
the Mass was the medium through which
Bruckner communicated his love of God
both with absolute integrity and pronounced
directness. Bruckner composed the Mass
No.1 in 1864, two years before his
first mature symphony in C major. Bruckner
was rarely satisfied with his compositions
and was always looking for improvement.
He obsessively strove for perfection
and consequently made revisions to the
work in 1876 and 1882. The Mass No.1
has never been as popular as the two
that were to follow, although it is
a marvellous work. Evident everywhere
is Bruckner’s contrapuntal skill revealing
both a real uniqueness of harmonic thought
and inventiveness and arguably his predisposition
towards ambiguous tonalities. The Mass
has that intense seriousness of
purpose that is so characteristic of
the greatest Bruckner.
Brilliant Classics
in their sets typically use previously
released material licensed from other
labels but in this 2003 recording it
seems that they have produced the recording
themselves. The vocal and orchestral
forces are in excellent form and seem
particularly appropriate and sympathetic
choices. Austrian conductor Nicol Matt
is in total control of the proceedings
conveying a powerful and expressive
reading that is intensely reverential.
The Chamber Choir of Europe, who were
founded in 1998 as the Nordic Chamber
Choir, and the four well-matched soloists
provide an inspiring blend of voices
producing a fine quality of tone. The
excellent SACD sound is warm and clear.
The annotation is as poor as I have
come to expect from Brilliant Classics.
The text is only in Latin and the translations
in the notes are extremely difficult
to understand.
Brilliant Classics
offer superb value in this well presented
SACD. Their ever expanding catalogue
is a treasure trove of discoveries.
The performance is very fine and at
super-bargain price there is every reason
to explore this dramatic and rewarding
choral work. A most compelling release.
Michael Cookson
Württemburgische Philharmonie Reutlingen/Nicol
Matt 
BRILLIANT
CLASSICS 92212 [50.38] 