Gramophone's Top Choice: Mackerras's Mozart
Find out why Gramophone named Sir Charles Mackerras's recording of Symphony No. 40 as its top choice
For many years Easter, like Christmas, has inspired composers to create some of the great masterpieces of classical music. Although you may immediately think of choral music there is some beautiful instrumental music written for this festival too.
From intimate chamber music such as Haydn's Seven Last Words or Biber's astonishingly powerful Mystery Sonatas to powerful symphonic statements such as Mahler's expansive 'Resurrection' Symphony and Haydn's Symphony No. 26, 'Lamentatione', instrumental music has an important role in Easter. For a more contemporary view listen to Patricia Kopatchinskaja and Camerata Bern's recording of Frank Martin's Polyptyque, a work inspired by six scenes from the Passion of Christ painted by Duccio di Buoninsegna around 1310. If you prefer choral music discover Passions and Oratorios by J.S. Bach, Pergolesi's Stabat mater and Handel's Messiah from distinguished ensembles including Dunedin Consort, Collegium Vocale Gent, Vox Luminis, Retrospect Ensemble and Le Concert Spirituel.
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Here is the complete list of included recordings: