Every major composer has written music for the voice, either alone or in a choir. Choral music has the ability to be every bit as tender or powerful as the orchestra. Often more so.
Tallis Scholars, Peter Philips
Over two hours of Renaissance music performed so exquisitely and so passionately that it's as if an entire era in music makes itself understood through these CDs. The Tallis Scholars are as good as it gets.
A glorious mix of the sacred and the theatrical, Monteverdi's showpiece puts the choir through all the hoops, here performed in the very cathedral that hosted the first ever performance in 1610. Read our review here.
English Baroque Soloists, Gardiner
Undoubtedly Bach's best-loved choral work. Its grand scale is awesome, its musical and spiritual energy inspiring. And it just happens to contain some of Bach's most profound and beautiful music.
Academy of St Martin in the Fields
Left unfinished by Mozart at his death, the Requiem contains some of the most powerful and moving music ever written. This version, with Neville Marriner, was featured in the movie Amadeus.
English Baroque Soloists, Gardiner
Beethoven worked on his gigantic Missa Solemnis (“Solemn Mass”) for several years, and considered it his greatest work. This performance is electrifying. Gardiner has the orchestra on the edge of their seats, the chorus going all-out, and sparks flying.
Philharmonia Orchestra, Klemperer
Brahms continues the powerful tradition of German choral music with the sublime Ein deutsches Requiem. This recording with Otto Klemperer and Elisabeth Schwartzkopf is one of the greatest recordings of the century.
Croydon Singers, English Chamber Orchestra
Not all music about death is doom and gloom. Faure's Requiem is the most peaceful and beautiful music ever written. It may lift you a little closer to heaven and even let you have a peek inside. Read our review.
Robert Shaw Festival Singers
Rachmaninov translates the Russian orthodox Vespers or Evening Prayers into a work for modern choir. Demanding the highest of highs from the sopranos, and the lowest lows from the basses, it remains delicate and ethereal.
Jochum, Janowitz, Fischer-Dieskau
This very famous and very odd music is like no other this or any other century. Set to an ancient Latin text, Carl Orff's chanted songs with their infectious rhythms and vibrant orchestration make this a showstopper of a CD.
