Presto Music Classical Podcast, Episode 37: Brahms In The Time Machine – Ein Deutsches Barockrequiem with Lionel Meunier

Over the nearly twenty years since its formation, Vox Luminis has appeared in our metaphorical pages plenty of times – the Belgian early music ensemble consistently combines original and exploratory programming with impeccable musicianship. Every album Lionel Meunier and his musicians release can be relied on to be not just a feast for the ears but also an interesting and well-thought-out dive into musical history, drawing connections and parallels and linking everything together seamlessly. 

The title of their latest album, Ein Deutsches Barockrequiem, provides a heavy hint as to the theme of the repertoire being performed – comprising earlier settings of the same Biblical texts that Brahms would later select for the movements of his German Requiem. I caught up with Lionel to talk about the process of tracking down these motets, and what threads might link together Brahms himself with the composers featured here – as well as a surprising connection with one of today's finest bel canto tenors. 

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The music played and mentioned in this episode...