This Capriccio release includes twelve assorted pieces of sacred music; all complete works with the exception of the Zum Sanctus: Heilig, Heilig movement from the highly popular Deutsche Masse.

Schubert is not especially well known for his liturgical works. He did however produce this type of work consistently throughout his career, writing his first Mass in F major was he was only seventeen and his last Mass in E flat major in 1828, just a few months before his death.

Some of Schubert’s early sacred works, which were very much influenced by Haydn, were performed at his local church and indeed were written specifically for performance there. However few of the later works were performed during his lifetime. Some of his sacred scores ran into trouble with Church authorities for inconsistencies in the word settings. Schubert never did set the words ‘I believe in one Catholic and Apostolic Church’ that were virtually compulsory and as such were not authorised by the Church for performance during services. Nevertheless, there are some wonderful settings amongst his six numbered Masses, the popular Deutsche Messe and the incomplete Easter Cantata: Lazarus, oder Die Feter der Auferstehung D.689 that was considered years ahead of its time.

The highlights of these Schubert scores include the opening work, the suitably reverent Offertory Intende voci in B flat major for Tenor, SATB chorus and orchestra, D.963 from 1828. At nine minutes this is the longest work on the release and displays Schubert’s interesting use of woodwind. The featured tenor voice of Peter Schreier is in fine condition and at times reminded me of the quality of Peter Pears in full vocal maturity.

It’s almost beyond belief that Schubert wrote this beatific setting of the well-beloved Psalm 23, The Lord is my Shepherd op. posth. D.706 as an examination piece. Composed in 1820 at the request of Schubert’s friend Anna Frolich, as a test piece for her vocal pupils. Written for two sopranos, two altos and piano the Psalm 23 has become a staple work in an arrangement for of women’s choirs. The exquisite harmonies of the piano prelude, the magical entry of the voices and the smooth writing for the female vocal quartet, who sing so excellently, make it so easy to understand the popularity of the work.

My favourite work on the disc is the superb version of Gott in der nature, in the arrangement for female chorus and piano accompaniment D.757 from 1822. The prominent piano part reminds me of Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle, which Schubert predates in this score by over forty years.

The sound quality from Capriccio is very natural and I played this SACD on my traditional CD player without any problems. The liner notes present difficulties as the annotation is uninteresting, often unclear, especially where the listing of soloists is concerned and very brief, in what is a rather poor effort. Information about the recording venue is unclear and the recording dates are not provided. The texts are provided in German but there are no English translations.

The performances of all concerned invites considerable praise and when combined with the integrity of Schubert’s music this becomes a very desirable release.

Michael Cookson

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