EASTER MUSIC: THE 15 GREATEST CLASSICAL PIECES
18 April 2019, 16:01 | Updated: 18 April 2019, 21:23
Easter hymns and sacred music favourites tell the story of Jesus.
From Bach’s Passion music to Handel’s Messiah, here are our top pieces of music that depict the final days of Jesus and his resurrection.
With so much classical music on offer on the subject of Easter and Jesus on the cross, here are our favourite pieces of music that are perfect for Easter weekend.
The Easter Hymn from Pietro Mascagni's opera Cavalleria Rusticana.
No matter what we believe in, it’s hard to deny the beauty behind this piece – in its music and meaning. It is Easter morning in a 19th-century Italian village. Santuzza’s character sings the Easter Hymn in this excerpt, also referred to as both “Regina Coeli” and “Inneggiano”. She is singing to herself as her Sicilian village takes part in Easter festivities.
“Inneggiamo, il Signor non è morto” — “We rejoice that our Savior is living!”
We rejoice that our Savior is living!
He all-glorious arose from the dead;
Joys of heaven the Lord to us giving,
All the sorrows of darkness are fled!
Listen here (6 minute listen), the German soprano Julia Varady (singing the role of Santuzza) with The London Opera Chorus and The National Philharmonic conducted by Gianandrea Gavazzeni
EASTER HYMN (REGINA COELI)
from CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA - Julia Varady
Nov 25, 2013
Julia Varady with The National Philharmonic conducted by Gianandrea Gavazzeni and The London Opera Chorus directed by Terry Edwards. "Sto cercando di individuare le chiese e loro posizioni. Ho perso i miei appunti originali e apprezzerei il vostro aiuto." - SICILY.Time00.00 Messina The Church of Christ the King00.17 Palermo Cathedral00.29 Chiesa di S. Guiseppe (XV11) - Taormina00.40 Chiesa Madre - Augusta00.59 The Church of Christ the King - Messina01.19 Modica, S. Maria del Soccorso01.37 The Cathedral of Syracuse (Duomo di Siracusa)01.53 The Cathedral of Syracuse (Duomo di Siracusa)02.20 Chiesa di S. Maria - San Piero Patti02.27 Monreale Cathedral03.02 Taormina, San Giussepe03.19 Palermo, Santa Caterina03.50 Palatine chapel of St Peter and St Paul, Palermo.04.02 Palermo, Santa Caterina04.23 Casteltermi04.3604.50 Messina 12th Century Church of Annunziata dei Catalani05.07 Fiumefreddo (Ct) - La Chiesa parrocchiale
Regina Coeli - Pietro Mascagni
Jan 3, 2016
Regina Coeli - Pietro Mascagni da Cavalleria Rusticana
Atri - Basilica Cattedrale - 17 dicembre 2015
direttore: PASQUALE VELENO
Concerto Giovane Orchestra d’Abruzzo, Skyline Brass Ensemble, Coro dell’Accademia di Pescara, Coro Vox Nova di Fabriano, Coro Ventidio Basso di Ascoli Piceno - Laura Toro, soprano - Riccardo della Sciucca, tenore - Davide Filipponi, basso Maestri del coro: Pasquale Veleno, Alberto Signori, Giovanni Farina
Inneggiamo al Signore (Aclamemos al Señor) - subtitulado
Mar 29, 2012
Selección y traducción por P. Pablo Scaratti
Ref. original: http://youtu.be/GsMcZpyMWdo
Pietro mascagni -Inneggiamo il Signore è risorto - da " Cavalleria Rusticana "17° Concerto d'Autunno eseguito il giorno 18 ottobre 2008 presso la Chiesa parrocchiale di Gessate -Direttore : M° Pierangelo PelucchiSoprano : Nicoletta CerutiOrganista : Emilio BrambillaOrgano : Balbiani - Vegezzi - Bossi (se non ricordo male 32 composizioni sonore) anno costruzione : circa 1968Corale S.s.Pietro & Paolo www.coralegessate.orgOrchestra sinfonica Gaetano Donizetti di Gessate
St. John Passion – Bach
Bach's St. John Passion is the earlier of the two Easter story settings of his that have survived.
It was composed in 1724 for the Good Friday Vespers service that year, setting Chapters 18 and 19 of John’s accounts of the crucifixion to music.
It is well worth sitting down and listening to this work in its entirety if you haven't done so before.
Bach - St John Passion BWV 245 - Van Veldhoven
Netherlands Bach Society
Apr 10, 2018
The St John Passion, performed by the Nederlands Bach Society for All of Bach, was the first Passion Bach had written as cantor in Leipzig. The Passion story as told in the Gospel of John is different from that told by the other three evangelists – Matthew, Luke and Mark. John’s version places the emphasis on Christ’s divine origin. Throughout his suffering, this divine origin still plays a role and nowhere is Jesus as human as in the other gospels.
For this performance, we selected a cast of singers under the age of 35. Apart from the leaders, all the orchestra members are also younger than 35. The concert series was preceded by a course of auditions and masterclasses.
St. Matthew Passion – Bach
The monumental St. Matthew Passion is hailed as the greatest setting of the Passion story in Western music but surprisingly, it was not until almost 100 years after its premiere that Bach’s music got the recognition it deserved.
Composed in 1727, it is a setting of sections of St Matthew’s Gospel, designed as part of Good Friday Vespers for the strict Lutheran stronghold of Leipzig. Following its premiere, it received two subsequent performances in 1736 and the 1740s. After that it was not performed again for almost 100 years.
A Fast and Friendly Guide to Bach | Classic FM
Jun 18, 2012
Join Classic FM Drive presenter John Brunning as he takes you on an animated tour of the life of Johann Sebastian Bach - one of music's most sublime creative geniuses.
Messiah – Handel
Although we know this piece from its iconic ‘Hallelujah’ chorus, there is so much more to this essential piece of Easter music.
Since its premiere in 1742, it has been performed by choirs across the world every year since at least 1745.
Handel's Messiah (Easter Concert)
by the Tabernacle Choir & Orchestra
Premiered Mar 26, 2021
The Hallelujah Chorus - Forté Handbell Quartet
Handel began composing the Messiah in 1741, and took a painstaking 14 years to arrive at the version we know today.
Impressive solo arias, like ‘Ev’ry valley shall be exalted’ and ‘Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion’ are interspersed with compelling chorus numbers, telling the story of Jesus’ birth, life, death, resurrection, and final victory over sin and death.
The rousing ‘Hallelujah’ chorus is by far the most widely-known section of the work, and audiences tend to stand during performances – a tradition that allegedly began when King George II stood during the chorus at the oratorio’s London debut performance.
Impressive solo arias, like ‘Ev’ry valley shall be exalted’ and ‘Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion’ are interspersed with compelling chorus numbers, telling the story of Jesus’ birth, life, death, resurrection, and final victory over sin and death.
The rousing ‘Hallelujah’ chorus is by far the most widely-known section of the work, and audiences tend to stand during performances – a tradition that allegedly began when King George II stood during the chorus at the oratorio’s London debut performance.
Music Classic Handel from Forté Handbell Quartet
Dec 22, 2020
Amazing Grace – John Newton
‘Amazing Grace’ is one of the world’s most recognisable melodies. Not only is it a popular hymn, there are also countless recordings of the song, including Aretha Franklin’s, and Elvis Presley’s have given the song worldwide recognition.
The hymn was first published in 1779 by the English poet and clergyman John Newton. The song shares the message of forgiveness and redemption, an important message to appreciate over Easter.
Aretha Franklin - Amazing Grace (Official Audio)
Feb 10, 2019
The official audio of "Amazing Grace" by Aretha Franklin with James Cleveland and The Southern California Community Choir from the album 'Amazing Grace' (1972). 'Amazing Grace' earned Aretha a Grammy in 1973 for Best Soul Gospel Performance and remains the best selling Gospel album of all time.
Symphony No. 2 (‘Resurrection’) – Mahler
This monumental orchestral work is really quite something to behold.
Up until this point, Mahler shared a confused standpoint on religion, but this symphony became his first piece to establish his view of the beauty of the resurrection.
Mahler was moved to incorporate the line “Rise again, yes, you shall rise again / My dust” as the
opening to the final movement of his second symphony.
Although Mahler was compelled to use the resurrection as subject matter for the symphony, it isn't as straightforward as the title might suggest. This symphony explores life and death in all its light and dark facets.
Mahler: Symphony No. 2 (Resurrection)
May 16, 2008
How Great Thou Art – Carl Boberg
‘How Great Thou Art’ is a traditional Christian hymn based on an anonymous melody and a poem written by Carl Boberg in 1885.
It has previously been voted as the United Kingdom’s favourite hymn, and second on a worldwide ranking, only pipped to the post by ‘Amazing Grace’.
Winchester Cathedral: HOW GREAT THOU ART
Jun 27, 2014
A British Christian Music Programme
Miserere – Allegri
This haunting choral work by Gregorio Allegri sets the Latin text of Miserere mei, Deus (in fact the piece’s full title) from Psalm 51 to music for two choirs.
It’s not certain when Allegri’s Miserere was composed, but we know it was during the reign of Pope Urban VIIII, probably during the 1630s. It would have been used for services in the Sistine Chapel on Holy Wednesday and Good Friday of Holy Week.
It’s not certain when Allegri’s Miserere was composed, but we know it was during the reign of Pope Urban VIIII, probably during the 1630s. It would have been used for services in the Sistine Chapel on Holy Wednesday and Good Friday of Holy Week.
Allegri - Miserere mei, Deus
Feb 10, 2011
The magnificent "Miserere mei, Deus" composed by Allegri and here brilliantly performed by the Choir of New College, Oxford.
Russian Easter Festival Overture – Rimsky-Korsakov
This romantic score by Rimsky-Korsakov is a fresh deviation from most choral works associated with religious holidays.
The score is prefaced by two quotations from the Old and New Testaments, and a third written by the composer himself.
The Russian Easter Festival Overture is the composer’s account of an Easter morning service – “not in a domestic chapel, but in a cathedral thronged with people from every walk of life, and with several priests conducting the cathedral service.”
Rimsky-Korsakov - Russian Easter Festival Overture, Op. 36
May 30, 2011
Fledermaus1990
Also known as The Great Russian Easter Overture, is a concert overture written by the Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov between August 1887 and April 1888, and dedicated to the memories of Modest Mussorgsky and Alexander Borodin, two members of the legendary "Mighty Handful".It is subtitled "Overture on Liturgical Themes". It is the last of the composer's series of three exceptionally brilliant orchestral works, preceded by Capriccio Espagnol and Scheherazade. The work received its premiere in St. Petersburg in late December 1888.Conductor: Zubin MehtaOrchestra: Israel Philharmonic OrchestraPicture: Il'ja Efimovič Repin, Easter Procession in the region of Kursk (1880-1883)
Invictus: A Passion – Howard Goodall
Composer Howard Goodall said of his new work:
“Much of the Passion in general – persecution of the innocent, malevolent authority exerting itself against ideas that threaten and challenge, the power of a peaceful, loving humility in the face of tyranny, the facing-down of fear – holds profound universal resonance for people of many faiths and those of none. It is this universal meaning that my Invictus: A Passion hopes to address, so that [...] it might find relevance with choirs and their audiences or congregations everywhere.”
Invictus: A Passion: Invictus
Aug 30, 2018
Christ Church Cathedral Choir
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Invictus: A Passion: Invictus · Christ Church Cathedral Choir · Howard Goodall · The Lanyer Ensemble · Stephen Darlington · Mark Dobell
Parsifal – Wagner
Wagner's opera Parsifal all takes place on Good Friday. The Good Friday music from Act III of the opera is a standalone work of art in its own right, but if you have a few hours to spare, we'd recommend you listen to this sublime opera in its entirety.
Parsifal - Karfreitagszauber
Good Friday Music - Wagner - Kempe
Sep 30, 2016
moltovivace
Instrumental Karfreitagszauber from Act 3 of
Richard Wagner's opera Parsifal (1882)
Conductor: Rudolf Kempe
Orchestra: Wiener Philharmoniker (Vienna Philharmonic)
Recorded in 1960, remastered in 1990.
Label: Angel Records
Year released: 1995
The Seven Last Words of Christ – Haydn
The Seven Last Words of Christ, or using its full name The Seven Last Words of Our Saviour on the Cross is an orchestral work composed by Joseph Haydn for the 1786 Good Friday service at Oratorio de la Santa Cueva in Spain.
The composer adapted the music three times – once in 1787 for string quartet, again in 1796 as an oratorio for solo and chorus, and he also approved a solo piano version.
The composer adapted the music three times – once in 1787 for string quartet, again in 1796 as an oratorio for solo and chorus, and he also approved a solo piano version.
Joseph Haydn - The Seven Last Words of Christ
(Full Concert) (Full HD)
Apr 29, 2012
ClassicalMusicTVHD
The Seven Last Words of Our Saviour On the Cross (German: Die sieben letzten Worte unseres Erlösers am Kreuze) is an orchestral work by Joseph Haydn, commissioned in 1785 or 1786 for the Good Friday service at Cádiz Cathedral in Spain. The composer adapted it in 1787 for string quartet and in 1796 as an oratorio (with both solo and choral vocal forces), and he approved a version for solo piano.The seven main meditative sections — labelled "sonatas" and all slow — are framed by an Introduction and a speedy "Earthquake" conclusion, for a total of nine movements. Complete all movements.
Easter Oratorio – Bach
It’s no surprise that with a catalogue that includes both of his Passions and the Easter Oratorio, Bach is hailed as one of the finest classical composers of sacred music.
The first version of the work was actually completed as a cantata for Easter Sunday in 1725, but it was later given the Easter Oratorio title in a revived version ten years later.
The Easter Oratorio has four characters assigned to the four voice parts; Simon Peter (tenor), John the Apostle (bass), Mary Magdalene (alto) and Mary Jacobe (soprano).
J.S. Bach - Easter Oratorio, BWV 249
Apr 23, 2011
BachHarmony
The Amsterdam Baroque Choir
The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra
Ton Koopman
Lamentations of Jeremiah the Prophet – Tallis
This is the first of many settings of The Lamentations of Jeremiah the Prophet by a number of composers.
Thomas Tallis scored the work for five voices – an alto, two tenors and a two basses in the Latin text of the bible used in Tallis’ lifetime.
This is the first of many settings of The Lamentations of Jeremiah the Prophet by a number of composers.
Thomas Tallis scored the work for five voices – an alto, two tenors and a two basses in the Latin text of the bible used in Tallis’ lifetime.
Thomas Tallis - Lamentations of Jeremiah I
Feb 11, 2010
Thomas Tallis (c. 1505 - 1585):
LAMENTATIONS OF JEREMIAH I
Thomas Tallis was an English organist and composer whose career spanned the reigns of four monarchs and a long period of religious change. He occupies a primary place in anthologies of English church music, and is considered among the most talented of England's early composers.This is part one of his 'Lamentations of Jeremiah', which sets to music verses 1-2 of Chapter 1 (Book of Lamentations).
0:06 Incipit lamentatio etc1:13 Aleph. Quomodo sedet etc3:24 Beth. Plorans ploravit etc6:09 Ierusalem, convertere etc
Incipit lamentatio Ieremiae prophetae.
ALEPH. Quomodo sedet sola civitas plena populo! Facta est quasi vidua domina gentium; princeps provinciarum facta est sub tributo.
BETH. Plorans ploravit in nocte, et lacrimæ ejus in maxillis ejus: non est qui consoletur eam, ex omnibus caris ejus; omnes amici ejus spreverunt eam, et facti sunt ei inimici.
Ierusalem, convertere ad Dominum Deum tuum.
trans. Book of Lamentations 1:1-2
Here begins the lamentation of Jeremiah the prophet.
A. How lonely sits the city that was full of people! How like a widow has she become, she that was great among the nations! She that was a princess among the cities has become a vassal.
B. She weeps bitterly in the night, tears on her cheeks; among all her lovers she has none to comfort her; all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they have become her enemies.
Jerusalem, turn again to the Lord your God.
The Sixteen ChoirConducted by Harry Christophers
