The Shrine of the Martyrs (2 CDs)

The Kilian Oratorio, Op. 90, ‘The Shrine of the Martyrs’ – based on texts by Bishop Paul-Werner Scheele – was premiered on 14 July 1989 at Würzburg Cathedral to mark the Kilian anniversary. The live recording on 2 CDs captures the significance of this unique musical event. The work brings together all the vocal and instrumental ensembles of the Würzburg Cathedral Music Department in a magnificent overall composition that incorporates the space and acoustics of St Kilian’s Cathedral into the musical narrative. In terms of content, ‘The Shrine of the Martyrs’ shares the meaning, purpose, theme and structure of H.G. Bücker’s Kilian Shrine, which has stood in the west crypt of Neumünster Church in Würzburg since 1987. The CD booklet contains all the texts of the work.

Barbara Schlick (soprano), Lioba Braun (alto), Clemens Bieber (tenor),
Martin Hummel (baritone), David Midboe (bass), Stephan Rehm (narrator),
Cathedral Choir with Girls’ Choir, Cathedral Boys’ Choir (conductor: Franz J. Stoiber),
Cathedral Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble (conductor: Christoph Weinhart),
Paul Damjakob (main organ),
Gregor Frede (choir organ),
Michael Hanf (organ in the orchestra),
General conductor: Siegfried Koesler

Recording of the world premiere on 14 July 1989