Unsung Mass or Other Religious Works?

[Alan Howe]

The Schmidt is worth sitting through just for the stupendous ending - surely one of the most glorious in all music!

[mbhaub]

You like the Franz Schmidt? Phew! I must admit that one stays in the box. And I
say that as an admirer (of Schmidt!).

When I first acquired the work on with Mitropolous on LP many years ago, that's how I reacted, too. It just didn't click. The next version I got was the Orfeo cd and certain parts became very special -- but the whole thing eluded me. Then, on a trip to Germany I picked up a cd set from Amadeo. I was stuck in the hotel watching a terrific storm listening to Das Buch and all the sudden it made sense -- all of it. It just fell into place, and it's been a favorite of mine since then. But I can understand not liking it. I can't stand the Mozart Requiem, the Brahms German Requiem or the Beethoven Missa Solemnis. To each his own.

[Gareth Vaughan]

Suter's "Le Laudi" - just gorgeous.

[Pengelli]

I'm going to have another go at the Schmidt as soon as I can find it! But it IS
rather grim! Brian's 'Gothic' seems like a light hearted romp in comparison.

[Alan Howe]

I'd like to echo Gareth's enthusiasm for Suter's Le Laudi - it is an absolutely glorious late-Romantic piece.

[Pengelli]

I think I'll go for the Benoit 'Hoogmis'. Flemish music is so underated & what I've
heard is so good.

[Syrelius]

I have just listened to Bomtempos Requiem on a Berlin Classics CD. There is perhaps a lack of drama, but nevertheless, there is a lot of beautiful music in it

[monafam]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far!  I've been able to get the Soderman one to this point (based on some credits I have) and really enjoyed it. 

Is the Schmidt one the piece he wrote in honor of the passing of his daughter?  I heard it's powerful and I'm wondering if I could take it (having kids myself).