The early musical experiences of Puccini and Verdi, those two giants of Italian opera, were in fact gained in the field of sacred music. In 1880, at the age of 22, Puccini composed his Messa a 4 voci as a graduation exercise. When still a schoolboy, the 45-year older Verdi stood in for the organist in his home village; at the end of this life, he returned to church music, writing his Quattro pezzi sacri in the 1890s at the age of over 80. The Messa of the younger composer - which was believed lost until 1952 - is a joyful and scintillating work. Artistically, Verdi's powerful and intense Pezzi sacri can be placed on an equal standing with his beloved operas.

This new recording provides a great opportunity to hear all four pieces, which, because of their diverse instrumentation (a cappella choir, quartet and double choir with large orchestra), are rarely performed together. The CD features the Gaechinger Cantorey, the Dresdner Kammerchor, the Stuttgart Philharmonic, Sung Min Song and Krešimir Stražanac, all performing under the baton of Hans-Christoph Rademann.

"From the very start it's clear that we're in for an exceptionally dramatic performance, as Hans-Christoph Rademann and his musicians bring out all the intensity and eeriness of the 'Representation of Chaos'...Rademann's attention to detail is meticulous throughout, and it's never carried out at the expense of the musical line" - BBC Music Magazine on Haydn - Die Schöpfung (ACC30564)

"The Dresden Chamber Choir sings with stunning clarity and perfect blend, alert to small details in the counterpoint, while Hans-Christoph Rademann ensures that the broad sweep of the whole adds up to more than its attractive parts. These ingredients make this one of the best Baroque choral performances on disc so far this year." - Gramophone Magazine on Hasse - Requiem (CAR83175)