Bruckner: Mass No. 2 in E minor

‘The seven unaccompanied motets are absolute gems. An ethereal account of Ave Maria has a breadth and grandeur which belies its short time-span; as the vocal lines crowd in on each other, the effect is nothing short of electrifying. And popular as it is, if there has to be a ‘definitive’ interpretation on disc of Locus iste, this has to be it. Put it simply, we’re unlikely to hear choral singing as fine as this for a good few years to come’ (Gramophone)

“Of the 'chamber-like' versions of this Mass, Polyphony trumps all others for beauty of tone. At the end of the Agnus, where the sopranos don't have bulk, they gleam. In the Benedictus, too, musical sense arises from transparency and intelligent shaping. The performances of the motets are excellent, too, painting nuanced pictures of these vocally and philosophically stratospheric pieces.” BBC Music Magazine, November 2007 *****

‘One of the most beautiful recordings of a choral masterpiece I have ever heard’ (The Sunday Times)

“an enthusiastic and often passionate performance.” Gramophone Magazine

Judged to perfection, Jochum's mass series holds in exquisite balance the choral line, the perfect tempo and a keen feeling for the works' spiritual dimension - James Jolly, Gramophone 1000th issue

'For any listeners who missed out these individual issues the first time out, this compendium will fill an important gap. Under-performed and highly worthy music is awarded knowing performances' (The American Organist)