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Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827):
*Missa solemnis op.123*
Carolyn Sampson _soprano_
Ann Hallenberg _alto_
Benjamin Hulett _tenor_
Florian Boesch _bass_
*Collegium Vocale Gent*
Rotterdams Philharmonisch Orkest
Philippe Herreweghe
Beethoven’s _Missa Solemnis_ was regarded by the composer himself as his best work. It shows him at the height of his creative powers, although it never achieved the popularity of his symphonies. Instead of developing musical material in the classical way, Beethoven harked back to Renaissance polyphonic techniques along the lines of Josquin, Palestrina or Ockeghem to write this “symphony with choral accompaniment”. The result is a hugely personal confession of faith and a proclamation of a unique yet universal religious feeling.