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By ZACHARY LEWIS
Published September 24, 2006

Brahms: Missa Canonica and other choral works; Choir of Westminster Cathedral/Martin Baker, director (Hyperion) - Aside from the great German Requiem, Brahms isn't famous for choral music. No matter. His sacred music for choir is still worthy of attention, especially in a first-rate performance like this by the Choir of Westminster Cathedral.

A boys choir with roots going back to 1907, the Westminster's experience serve them well here as they bring remarkable purity of tone to the Missa Canonica, a brief Mass in four movements that Brahms composed in 1856.

Because it lacks the usually long Gloria and Credo movements, the Mass has a more concentrated feel, like highlights from a more substantial work. From the Westminster singers, it's 12 minutes of sheer sonic heaven.

A handful of four- and five-part motets by Brahms fills out the disc, along with a Mass for Double Choir by Joseph Rheinberger. Matthew Martin's soft organ accompaniment works wonders in Brahms' Geistliches Lied, movingly complementing the voices as they pronounce a slow, prayerlike message. By contrast, the antiphonal coda to Schaffe in mir, Gott (Create in me, O God), rounded out by adult men singing bass, is anything but delicate, a resounding plea for salvation. The Rheinberger Mass is full of interesting material, but it's less formally rigorous and seems to wander, whereas the Missa Canonica gets straight to the point. B+

- ZACHARY LEWIS, Times correspondent

[Last modified September 22, 2006, 09:55:25]