This set brings together acclaimed recordings of four sacred choral masterpieces, under the baton of the legendary Otto Klemperer.

The works here all played an important role in Klemperer’s long and distinguished career, and some of them were among the music that meant most to him; indeed, he once called Bach’s B minor Mass ‘the greatest and most unique music ever written’.

Klemperer’s love of this music manifests itself in performances of overwhelming power, grandeur and majesty, supported by some of the most accomplished soloists of the time.

Contents:
Johann Sebastian Bach
- Mass in B minor BWV232
CD 1 [67.32]
CD 2 [68.13]
Agnes Giebel (soprano) • Janet Baker (mezzo-soprano) • Nicolai Gedda (tenor) • Hermann Prey (baritone) • Franz Crass (bass-baritone)
BBC Chorus, New Philharmonia Orchestra
Recorded: 1967, Kingsway Hall, London

Johann Sebastian Bach
- St Matthew Passion BWV244
CD 3 [74.27]
CD 4 [76.35]
CD 5 [72.56]
Peter Pears (tenor) - Evangelist • Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone) - Jesus • Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (soprano) - Pilate’s Wife/Maid • Christa Ludwig (mezzo-soprano) • Nicolai Gedda (tenor) • Walter Berry (bass-baritone) - Peter • John Carol Case (baritone) - Judas • Otakar Kraus (baritone) - Pontius Pilate/High Priest/Priest • Helen Watts (soprano) - Maid/Witness • Geraint Evans (baritone) - Priest • Wilfred Brown (tenor) - Witness
Boys of Hampstead Parish Church Choir
Philharmonia Chorus, Philharmonia Orchestra
Recorded: 1960/1961, Kingsway Hall, London

George Frideric Handel
- Messiah HWV56
CD 6 [67.48]
CD 7 [73.51]
Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (soprano) • Grace Hoffman (contralto) • Nicolai Gedda (tenor) • Jerome Hines (bass)
Philharmonia Chorus, Philharmonia Orchestra
Recorded: 1964, Kingsway Hall, London

CD 8 [79.31]
Ludwig van Beethoven
- Missa solemnis in D Op.123
Elisabeth Söderström (soprano) • Marga Höffgen (contralto) • Waldemar Kmentt (tenor) • Martti Talvela (bass)
New Philharmonia Chorus, New Philharmonia Orchestra
Recorded: 1965, Kingsway Hall, London