Anniversary gleanings
Opera choruses by Verdi and Wagner, but also well-known sacred choral works by Verdi in movements with piano, organ or small ensemble.
Grand opera choirs are in vogue and have become an integral part of concert life. Carus Verlag has published choral books with great opera choruses by both Giuseppe Verdi and Richard Wagner to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of the two composers. The Verdi book contains twelve choruses, set for choir and piano and selected by Johannes Knecht. From the absolute hit Va pensiero from Nabucco about the triumphal choir from Aida to choral passages from little-known operas such as Giovanna d'Arco or La battaglia di Legnano. The original Italian text is accompanied by a singable second text in German.
Wagner's Pilgrims' Chorus and the Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin are part of the repertoire of many choirs. From the operas The fairies and Rienzi the repertoire is supplemented by further arrangements. Johannes Knecht and Clytus Gottwald are responsible for a total of eight arrangements. Pure choral scores have also been published for these volumes.
Carus-Verlag has also reissued Verdi's best-known sacred choral works, such as the Quattro pezzi sacri. Stabat mater and Te Deum have also been published in an arrangement for voice and organ by the organist Zsigmond Szathmáry. Even the most famous work, the Messa da Requiem has been republished. The so-called reduced version for small ensemble should be particularly interesting for practitioners: Based on the piano score, choirmaster and music teacher Michael Betzner-Brandt has added horn, double bass, marimba, gran cassa and timpani. This makes a performance possible even for smaller budgets. The piano and marimba are required to play viruos, while the horn, gran cassa and timpani provide a full sound. Performance material for the instrumentalists and insert sheets for two additional humming choirs are available separately.
Giuseppe Verdi, Grosse Opernchöre, 12 choruses from Verdi operas arr. for choir and piano, ed. by Johannes Knecht, CV 2.652, € 29.80, Carus, Stuttgart 2012
Giuseppe Verdi, Quattro pezzi sacri, piano reduction, CV 27.500/03, € 12.50, Carus, Stuttgart 2013
Giuseppe Verdi, Stabat Mater, arranged for choir and organ by Zsigmond Szathmáry , CV 27.294/45, € 16.80, Carus, Stuttgart 2013
Giuseppe Verdi, Te Deum, arranged for choir and organ by Zsigmond Szathmáry , CV 27.194/45, € 14.50 Carus, Stuttgart 3013
Giuseppe Verdi, Messa di Requiem, version for small ensemble by Michael Betzner-Brandt, score, CV 27.303/50, € 75.00, Carus, Stuttgart 2012
Richard Wagner, Grosse Opernchöre, 8 choruses from Wagner operas, arr. for choir and piano, ed. by Johannes Knecht, CV 2.651, € 24.80, Carus, Stuttgart 2012
