Fauré’s Reqiuem

Gabriel Fauré called his Requiem "a lullaby of death...as gentle as I am myself." Serene and hopeful, it's one of the great spiritual masterpieces of the 20th century.

Bach’s Missa brevis

Like many of Bach's works, much of his Missa brevis had been used before and all of it would be used again, in his epic Mass in B minor. But in its original form it was actually something quite different: a bribe.

Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 4

Bach's Orchestral Suite #4 is a dazzling combination of rhythmic complexity and sonic brilliance; all the more amazing in that he wrote it (most likely) just for fun!

Bruckner’s Symphony No. 4 “Romantic”

Bruckner's Symphony No. 4 "The Romantic" was a departure from his usual symphonic testaments of faith. It's a journey into the Age of Chivalry, of knights, quests, and - above all - the hunt.

Schubert’s Symphony No. 9 “The Great”

Schubert's "Great" C major symphony was the longest, most advanced and most intricately constructed symphony ever written by anyone not named Beethoven. With it, Schubert staked his claim as his idol's heir.

Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov traveled the world as a naval officer, but it was his musical journey into the world of the Arabian Nights that became one of his most colorful and enduring masterpieces.

Ravel’s La Valse

In 1906, Maurice Ravel made some sketches for a tribute to Johann Strauss, the Waltz King. By the time he got back to it, World War I had ravaged Europe, and Ravel's tribute had turned into something much darker.