Ray Manzarek - Carmina Burana (1983)

Here's a somewhat interesting approach to Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana" by ex-The Doors keyboard player Ray Manzarek.
He was accompanied by Michael Riesman, Larry Anderson, Ted Hall, Doug Hodges, Adam Holzman and Jack Kripl.
The record was produced by Philip Glass and Kurt Munkacsi.

Philip Glass - Satyagraha [Act I-Tolstoy] (1985)

Philip Glass - Satyagraha [Act II-Tagore] (1985)

Philip Glass - Satyagraha [Act III-King] (1985)

One of my Glass favourites, this opera was presented the first time in the Netherlands in 1980.
This is a CBS 1985 recording, performed by The New York City Opera, Orchestra & Chorus and it was conducted by Christopher Keene.
Enjoy!

P.S. - I just love the 1st movement of the 2nd act. Really amazing!

Anton Bruckner - Te Deum/Motetten/150. Psalm (1999)
This "Te Deum" is one of my favourite sacred works by this austrian composer from the romantic period. These recordings were originally made between 1966 and 1971.
Hope you like it!

Dietrich Buxtehude - Membra Jesu Nostri (1997)

One of the most prominent composers of the baroque period, Buxtehude (1637-1707) widely influenced the work of Johann Sebastian Bach, for instance.
"Membra Jesu Nostri" is a group of seven cantatas dedicated to the organist and composer Gustaf Düben.
It's also known for being the first Lutheran oratorio.
Hope you like it!

Jan Dismas Zelenka - Requiem in D Minor/Miserere in C Minor (1994)

Zelenka is one of my favourite baroque composers. He was born near Prague in 1679 and died in Dresden, 1745.
This record contains two indispensable pieces of his work - Requiem in D minor, ZWV 48 and Miserere in C Minor, Psalm 50, ZWV 57 - and it was released by the czech label Supraphon.
One of the soloists is the very acclaimed contralto Magdalena Kozena.
Don't miss it!

Pierre Bouteiller - De Vanitate Mundi (2005)

Pierre Bouteiller was a french composer who lived between 1655 and 1717.
This record is centered in Missa Pro Defunctis (a Requiem Mass) and five motets wich are suppose to have been composed around 1690-1695.
The interpretation is made by Les Voix Humaines, Suzie Leblanc (soprano) and Stephan Van Dyck (tenor).

"If unknown music is performed the 'consumer' has to be convinced that it is really worth listening to. The key to convince them is an excellent performance, and that is exactly what we get here. The interpretation by the two singers is ideal: they both have beautiful voices with the kind of flexibility this music needs, and they handle the texts - sung here in French pronunciation - with great sensitivity. I am glad the music of Bouteiller has been rediscovered and recorded." (Taken from MusicWeb-International)

Ars Nova - Portuguese Polyphony (1995)

This 1995 Naxos release focused on portuguese composers from the XV and XVI centuries.
These poliphonic pieces were interpreted by the scandinavian vocal ensemble Ars Nova and conducted by Bo Holten.

Johannes Brahms - Ein Deutsches Requiem, Op. 45 (1996)

The German Requiem is my favourite work by the romantic composer Johannes Brahms.
Here's a recording conducted by Philippe Herreweghe and released by the french label Harmonia Mundi.
Enjoy!