Joseph Rheinberger - Cantus Missae (SWR Vokalensemble)

Information

Composer: Joseph Rheinberger

• "Cantus Missae" - Missa in Es, Op. 109

SWR Vokalensemble

Yuval Weinberg, conductor

Date: 2026

Label: SWR Classic

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Joseph Rheinberger’s Mass in E-flat major, Op. 109 (Cantus Missae, 1878) holds a distinctive place among his 14 Mass settings, standing out for its unaccompanied double-choir writing that reflects his deep affinity with Renaissance polyphonic traditions, particularly Venetian polychoral models. While rooted in historical forms, the work is shaped by Rheinberger’s own Romantic musical language, evident from the opening of the Kyrie, where expansive melodies and rich harmonies are carefully restrained to preserve the humility of the text. In the Gloria and Credo, he combines clear textual expression with subtle contrapuntal flourishes, including fugato passages and antiphonal exchanges between choirs, culminating in moments of profound unity such as the “Et incarnatus est.” The Sanctus and Benedictus introduce a more luminous, weightless character, while the Agnus Dei unfolds with carefully controlled contrasts and expressive detail. The final “Dona nobis pacem” is especially expansive and instrumental in character, contributing to the work’s overall sense of balance between spiritual depth, structural clarity, and expressive richness.

SWR Vokalensemble is one of the leading professional chamber choirs internationally, renowned for its exceptional vocal precision, stylistic versatility, and distinctive sound culture. Founded in 1946, the ensemble has played a major role in the development of contemporary vocal music, commissioning several new works annually and premiering more than 250 choral compositions by major composers including Karlheinz Stockhausen, Wolfgang Rihm, Luigi Nono, and Kaija Saariaho. Alongside its strong commitment to new music, the choir also performs demanding repertoire from the Romantic and early modern periods. Under principal conductors such as Marcus Creed, the ensemble developed a highly acclaimed recording tradition, earning awards including the Deutscher Kritikerpreis and the ECHO Klassik. Since 2020, it has been led by principal conductor Yuval Weinberg, continuing its reputation as a benchmark ensemble for contemporary choral interpretation and innovative programming.

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