Best Sounding Choral Recordings

[audiophile65]

What are some of the best sounding choral recordings out there (CD, SACD/DSD or download), with or without music instrument accompaniment? I'm especially interested in recordings that were performed in buildings like cathedrals.

[Musicophile]

Most Stile Antico recordings are usually a safe bet, like this one:

 

 

And the obvious audiophile classic (and fitting for the current season) is Cantate Domino:

 

 

 

Finally, with orchestra and solo singers, I’d also add most of the Dunedin consort recordings on Linn like the recent St. John’s passion:

 

[miguelito]

I am not one to recommend audiophile recordings if the music isn’t the most important accomplishment. 

 

This is a beautiful piece - the link is for the SACD but you can purchase the download in about every format out there including very high res:

 

http://www.2l.no/pages/album/106.html

 

And a snippet on Youtube:

 

 

[rando]

The question is too broad. Here are two that may or may not be to taste. 

 

 

[austinpop]

On 12/26/2018 at 7:29 AM, miguelito said:

I am not one to recommend audiophile recordings if the music isn’t the most important accomplishment. 

 

This is a beautiful piece - the link is for the SACD but you can purchase the download in about every format out there including very high res:

 

http://www.2l.no/pages/album/106.html

 

+1 for Magnificat!

[Hugo9000]

Anything/everything by The Tallis Scholars.  Superb music, beautifully performed and always well-recorded.  They are specialists in Renaissance polyphonic choral works.  Most if not all of their albums are on Spotify and youtube.

 

Here is a sample, Allegri's famed Miserere, performed live:

 

 

[ray-dude]

On 12/26/2018 at 5:29 AM, miguelito said:

I am not one to recommend audiophile recordings if the music isn’t the most important accomplishment. 

 

This is a beautiful piece - the link is for the SACD but you can purchase the download in about every format out there including very high res:

 

http://www.2l.no/pages/album/106.html

 

And a snippet on Youtube:

 

 

 

This album is at the heart of any system or component evaluation I do.  I can measure SQ by the intensity of tears that it brings to my eyes (not exaggerating)

 

If you have an opportunity to listen to this album on a high end surround setup, jump at it.  As engrossing and engaging that magnificent space and performance is in a lop tier two channel setup, it becomes otherworldly in a clean musical surround setup.  Even in my modest combination family/dining/listening room with surrounds behind the dining room table, it moves from transcendent to transcendent.

 

Magical performances, incredible space, and a recording for the ages.  Highly highly endorse.

[miguelito]

14 hours ago, ray-dude said:

 

This album is at the heart of any system or component evaluation I do.  I can measure SQ by the intensity of tears that it brings to my eyes (not exaggerating)

 

If you have an opportunity to listen to this album on a high end surround setup, jump at it.  As engrossing and engaging that magnificent space and performance is in a lop tier two channel setup, it becomes otherworldly in a clean musical surround setup.  Even in my modest combination family/dining/listening room with surrounds behind the dining room table, it moves from transcendent to transcendent.

 

Magical performances, incredible space, and a recording for the ages.  Highly highly endorse.

The booklet is very informative:

 

http://www.2l.no/e-book/2L106.pdf

[FIndingit]

Anything by the label Proprius. Hearing those choral recordings through Magnepan speakers, or similar, is a real treat.