Search - Franck, Choir of the Rtb-Brt Brussells :: Messe Solennelle

A rare gem of a 19th century mass.

B. Marold | Bethlehem, PA United States | 02/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was just a bit distressed to find only one recording of this work when I searched for the name of the mass and the name of the composer. This is a fine example of a composer's doing more with less. The liner notes indicate that the work was written to appeal to provincial tastes and be performable with a smaller than usual (certainly smaller ensemble than Bach or Mozart could call up) group of performers, so that his Catholic patrons would smile on his efforts.



Like having the limits of rhyme and meter in poetry, these strictures seem to have produced a really remarkable work. If you have any interest at all in liturgical music, you need to track down a recording of this work!"