Fanny & Felix Mendelssohn - Sacred Music, Vol. 1

Felix MENDELSSOHN-BARTHOLDY (1809-1847)

Christus Op. 97 oratorio fragments for soloists, mixed choir and orchestra

Part I: The Birth of Christ 

Part II: The Passion of Christ

Wie der Hirsch schreit nach frischem Wasser (Psalm 42) Op. 42

Cantata for soloists, mixed choir and orchestra

Fanny HENSEL-MENDELSSOHN (1805-1847)

Lobgesang ‛Meine Seele ist stille’

Cantata for soprano, alto , mixed choir and orchestra

RIAS Kammerchor Berlin

Kammerakademie Potsdam

Justin Doyle

Following in the footsteps of Bach and Handel, Felix Mendelssohn and his sister Fanny Hensel wrote some of the most sumptuous choral works of the first half of the nineteenth century. The testamentary Christus, left unfinished at Felix’s death, though often overshadowed by Paulus and Elias, forms a veritable trilogy with them. Fanny’s early cantata Lobgesang, composed for her son Sebastian’s first birthday, offers a joyous, festive contrast to her brother’s music.