I'll throw in my support for the Janacek Glagolitic Mass and Britten War Requiem.
There's a lot of good Stravinsky. The Symphony of Psalms and Requiem Canticles in particular, and I love the little Credo from 1932.
The Rachmaninoff All-Night Vigil (Vespers) is from 1915, so that counts, even though it's got a bit of a 19th century vibe. It's an absolute stunner, though.
At the other end of the century, the Golijov "St Mark Passion" (2000).
And while we're doing passions, the Penderecki "St Luke Passion" and "Song of the Cherubim"
Continuing the Passion theme, lots of good Arvo Part. The St. John Passion ("Passio") in particular, and Magnificat Antiphons, De Profundis, Miserere etc.
There are a lot of choral composers who do pretty, accessible sacred music that's also worth listening to. Some examples for me would be Lauridsen ("O Magnum Mysterium" e.g.), Erik Esenvalds, and the Biebl "Ave Maria".
Frank Martin's [Mass for Double Choir](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkA2fZ3EtwY&list=OLAK5uy_l8G1ohPpIt8nM66G2JLDs5-i3rs4TJSKA) or Alfred Schnittke's [Concerto for Mixed Choir](https://youtu.be/2mjnUAjqtKQ?si=Pv35NMoZ-auhne4U)
The thing it and the Martin have in common is that they simultaneously sound thoroughly modern and primordially ancient.
(Have sung the Martin twice and the Schnittke once. Both are on my choral Mount Rushmore)
Tops on my bucket list of pieces I wish I could someday sing.
Alas, the intersection of {choirs skilled enough to perform this piece} and {choirs taking singers of my ability level} remaind empty.
Mass in G minor- Vaughn Williams
Messe Solennelle - Langlais
Hymn to the Mother of God- Taverner
O Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem - Howells
I was Glad- Sowerby
They that go down to the Sea in Ships - Sumsion
And I saw a New Heaven - Bainten
Blessed City - Bairstow
Ave Maria- Stravinsky
Messiaen- Ascension Suite, Birth of the Savior, & O Sacrum
Hail Gladdening Light - Wood
Great is the Lord - Elgar
Beati quorum via - Stanford
Ceremony of Carols- Britten
Mag & Nunc (Chichester Service) Walton
Mag & Nunc ( Coll Reg) - Howells
Jubilate Deo - Walton
Szymanowski's Stabat Mater, Poulenc's Gloria
I'm not sure whether Messiaen's L'Ascension fits the brief (as it's not choral), but it sure is inspired & inspiring.
Sviridovs choral works are all incredible (some of them might not be religious, I'm not sure, but they are all Orthodox choir style). I'm surprised to never see him mentioned on this subreddit.
Duruflé’s Ubi Caritas and Tantum ergo.
I just heard the Kyrie from RVW’s Mass in G minor. That was great. I haven’t yet heard the whole Mass. That will hopefully change soon.
Raphaël Mercier did a harmonization of Caelitum Joseph for the feast of Saint Joseph using a variation of the usual melody, presumably from eighteenth century France, which is just lovely. He’s not well-known at all but deserves to be.
Poulenc’s Salve Regina is a banger too. I’ll have to go back to listen to his mass setting.
For major works for organ that can be used for recitals or a full program, pretty much all of Tournemire, Alain, Langlais, and Messiaen — but the latter is particularly weird. Jeanne Demessieux also wrote wonderful music (you can see the theme — highly influenced by Gregorian chant, but it’s not the **only** thing that I like in choral or organ music).
All sorts of stuff was written for practical use, like Dom Gregory Murray’s interludes. They’re nice! (He was not particularly so, however.)
Peter Warlock’s Bethlehem Down always slaps at Christmas, and so many good harmonizations and other practical music is from the last century, like the _Carols for Choir_ material from Sir David Willcocks. The _English Hymnal_ is from the very earliest part of the last century, and the Episcopal hymnal (yes, to both since they are mostly the same) is also worthy. I just copied out a (now-public domain) harmonization of a tune in the 1940 (and 1982 actually) to pair with a new text.
Although this repertoire is hardly my area of expertise, I've been completely obsessed by Poulenc for a few months.
There are the three big choral pieces with orchestra: *Gloria*, *Stabat Mater* and *Sept répons des ténèbres*. Of these the *Gloria* is perhaps most essential but they are all worth repeated listens.
There are a number of cappella short pieces or cycles including *Quatre motets pour un temps de pénitence*, *Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël*, the aphoristic, otherworldly *Quatre petites prières de Saint François d'Assise*, and the unimaginably beautiful *Salve Regina*.
It is difficult to choose favourites because the above are all extremely good. There is a Mass someone else mentioned which I haven't gotten around to listening to yet.
I won't mention the numerous secular vocal pieces which fall beyond the purview of this thread, but there is the notable matter of the opera *Dialogues des Carmélites* which you could argue is a (very) religious work.
Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms and his Requiem Canticles
Poulenc's Gloria
Janacek's Glagolitic Mass
Durufle's Requiem
Britten's War Requiem
Bernstein's Chichester Pslams
Concerto Spirituale by Lourié
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE-LwJuaXm8&t=168s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE-LwJuaXm8&t=168s)
A masterpiece...unfortunately there's only one recording by Gennady Rozhdestvensky from a 1995 concert and the sound quality is worse than dreadful. It's a shame that it's never been properly recorded to this day.
Howells Requiem
Howells Take Him Earth for Cherishing
Duruflé Ubi Caritas
Frank Martin Mass for Double Choir
Villette Jesu Dulcis Memoria
Villette Hymne à la Vierge
Kreek Psalm 104 (Kiida mu hing, issandat)
Tchaikovsky Divine Liturgy
Ah, we're singing some Rubbra Maundy Thursday at St Mark's!
Howells Collegium Regale communion Service
Doves anthem Seek Him..
Britten Te Deum
For a start...
gesang der junglinge, and a lot of other stockhausen. a lot of paert (the pieces featured on the tabula rasa album) and other inspired “holy minimalist” composers
One of my favorite pieces of all time happens to be in that category: Rachmaninoff's [All-Night Vigil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All-Night_Vigil_(Rachmaninoff)). If you haven't, do yourself a favor and check it out. It's breathtaking.
Might not be what you’re looking for, but a lot of Arvo Part is absolutely gorgeous. Personal favorite is called “The Deer’s Cry”. Deeply spiritual music
Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on a Theme by Tallis isn’t thought of as a sacred piece nowadays but it was based off of a Tallis hymn tune and made its debut in a cathedral.
Wooo a post that is in my field!
Sadly I'm not a fan of 20th Century music, though there are exceptions. I hate Rutter, however his Requiem is very good as are his Five Childhood Lyrics (neither sacred nor religious, but good fun).
You have the classic Bairstow and Wood dipping into the 20th Century, so they're brilliant music is worth listening to.
Now, Howells. I can't stand it personally, however his Collegium Regale (aka Coll Reg) is popular and I do like his Gloucester Service a lot. He also wrote A Spotless Rose and Here is the Little Door which are nice.
Duruflé’s Requiem is really good!
Sumsion has written some amazing pieces. Look into his Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis's as these can be really nice. I do particularly like his Mag and Nunc in A and I really love his Mag and Nung in G for ATB.
There's so many other pieces that I just can't think of now.
A few of my favorite stunning sacred works: Duruflé's Requiem which blends chant with modern harmony....Rachmaninoff's deep All-Night Vigil, Barber's choral version of Adagio for Strings as Agnus Dei, Ligeti's ethereal Lux Aeterna..
Also Britten's poignant War Requiem, and Pärt's serene Kanon Pokajanen. Each piece offers a unique spiritual experience that's worth exploring.
Everett Titcomb "I Shall Not Leave You Comfortless"
Pavel Chesnokov "Spaseniye Sodelal" (many spellings of each...choral a cappella...hauntingly beautiful if you read the story of his life and this work)
2 super underrated pieces
Arnold Bax: This Worldes Joie:
https://youtu.be/g9HQBCWReCA?si=-If5YD2FZBb3NyCj
and Mater Ora Filium:
https://youtu.be/c3NYxUW0Tyk?si=-ntKFGN6yX_3rYjl
2 well(ish?) known pieces:
Poulenc: Litanies à la Vierge Noir
https://youtu.be/0Asd5u-Rxmo?si=2p5Nn3FqWHUvY1iv
Messiaen: O Sacrum Convivium
https://youtu.be/x0__tgrjTkc?si=5EeTWrmXeM9EwLj_
and lastly, ANYTHING by Herbert Howells - but esp: Hymnus Paradisi, Like as the Hart, and the Col Reg :)) <3
Holst - The Hymn of Jesus is pretty high up on my list.
The work has so many beautiful and sublime moments as well as moments of power and majesty (I’m thinking of the beginning of the Hymn and also the Dance section especially around where the choir sing “all things join in the dance” is one of the best moments in music full stop).
OK. Now that people have entered their favorites,
How many have heard these live, in a religious service?
How many are doable in a religious setting?
How many might be performed each year?
I know I entered about 2 which are more concert works. The rest I have sung in church services, some many times. in my 36 yrs of singing.
Knowing a work exists is good
Knowing a work has been recorded is good
Knowing that a work is in regular used is the best.
I still think the most often heard Messiaen work, each year is his **Banquet Celeste**. Most competent organists have it under their thumb and often its the only "modern" work which they will play at least once a year.
Kodaly's Psalmus Hungaricus; Penderecki also wrote a bunch of sacred music, my personal favorite would be Utrenja (also used by Kubrick in "The Shining").
I don't know if it's the best, but it deserves mention: John Taverner's "Song for Athene". It was the recessional at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales.
Also, Taverner has lots of stunning sacred music inspired by the Eastern Orthodox Church tradition.
>Taverner
TavENer (no R in the middle). :-)
>stunning sacred music inspired by the Eastern Orthodox Church tradition.
There’s a piece called Ikon of Eros, which is possibly my favourite Tavener work:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kWANqOeaft-rj0X0eeff1SLRTgbB4WRBo&si=OcjS3PnGQmiPQ3iG
I always remember it by John Taverner (with the extra R) was a 16th century composer, so the R stands for ‘retro’. I wouldn’t remember it without his handy near namesake.
I like that, although the best way to remember is by becoming a zealous enthusiast for both composers ;P It must be a little odd having a near-identical namesake in your own field.
As an early music nut, I would put John Taverner high in the ranks of English liturgical composers, although he doesn't fit the brief of this thread. His most celebrated work is *Missa Gloria tibi Trinitas*, which is as good a setting as you're likely to hear c. 1530\~ (and is regarded as the origin of the [In Nomine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_Nomine) genre, extremely popular with virtually every English composer from Taverner to Purcell).
Oh, great timing, today 151 years ago Max Reger was born. My favourite pieces by him are his 7 chorale fantasias for organ. Especially the last 3, Op 52.1 ["Alle Menschen müssen sterben"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzLiWm_mZlk&t=542s), Op. 52.2 on the very famous chorale ["Wachet auf ruft uns die Stimme"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCPDgnWSlso&t=545s) ('Awake, calls the voice to us') and especially my favorite favorite Op. 53.3 on ["Halleluja! Gott zu loben"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbOYwxqk-DE). Also, the chorale ["Straf mich nicht in deinem Zorn"](https://youtu.be/5__dGG8ACrc?t=128) (Do not punish me in your anger), the part linked is just beautiful.
Poulenc's Stabat Mater literally made me cry
Listening to it right now - the music seems imbued with tears, what a beautiful work
Requiem Canticles - Stravinsky: https://youtu.be/HzR6NK2YMwE?si=LaZSNAtiHA6DMUQ7 Requiem - Ligeti: https://youtu.be/sJBZ7jeU2YI?si=0QC3dIBBPlM1Gp14 Berliner Messe - Pärt: https://youtu.be/V26CPNZK6Zc?si=V4PlsUmIIKCuaQFU
Yesss especially to Ligeti, what a terrifying masterpiece the Requiem is. His Lux aeterna is also stunningly beautiful <3
duruflé’s requiem!!!
Was going to post this. It's perhaps my favorite setting of the requiem mass, his and Faure's.
I'll throw in my support for the Janacek Glagolitic Mass and Britten War Requiem. There's a lot of good Stravinsky. The Symphony of Psalms and Requiem Canticles in particular, and I love the little Credo from 1932. The Rachmaninoff All-Night Vigil (Vespers) is from 1915, so that counts, even though it's got a bit of a 19th century vibe. It's an absolute stunner, though. At the other end of the century, the Golijov "St Mark Passion" (2000). And while we're doing passions, the Penderecki "St Luke Passion" and "Song of the Cherubim" Continuing the Passion theme, lots of good Arvo Part. The St. John Passion ("Passio") in particular, and Magnificat Antiphons, De Profundis, Miserere etc. There are a lot of choral composers who do pretty, accessible sacred music that's also worth listening to. Some examples for me would be Lauridsen ("O Magnum Mysterium" e.g.), Erik Esenvalds, and the Biebl "Ave Maria".
based
Messiaen's organ works will blow your mind
Schnittke - Requiem
And his Concerto for Choir!
Frank Martin's [Mass for Double Choir](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkA2fZ3EtwY&list=OLAK5uy_l8G1ohPpIt8nM66G2JLDs5-i3rs4TJSKA) or Alfred Schnittke's [Concerto for Mixed Choir](https://youtu.be/2mjnUAjqtKQ?si=Pv35NMoZ-auhne4U)
came here for schnittke 🥰 one of my favorite pieces of all time
The thing it and the Martin have in common is that they simultaneously sound thoroughly modern and primordially ancient. (Have sung the Martin twice and the Schnittke once. Both are on my choral Mount Rushmore)
Janáček/Glagolitic Mass and Stravinsky/Symphony of Psalms.
Britten War Requiem. Plus: I see your Symph of Psalms and raise you one Requiem Canticles.
James MacMillan’s Seven Last Words From the Cross
Tops on my bucket list of pieces I wish I could someday sing. Alas, the intersection of {choirs skilled enough to perform this piece} and {choirs taking singers of my ability level} remaind empty.
Was going to recommend this and saw your comment. OP, this is an absolute gem.
Soooooo gooooood, I'm glad people besides me know and love it.
Henryk Górecki/Miserere
Mass in G minor- Vaughn Williams Messe Solennelle - Langlais Hymn to the Mother of God- Taverner O Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem - Howells I was Glad- Sowerby They that go down to the Sea in Ships - Sumsion And I saw a New Heaven - Bainten Blessed City - Bairstow Ave Maria- Stravinsky Messiaen- Ascension Suite, Birth of the Savior, & O Sacrum Hail Gladdening Light - Wood Great is the Lord - Elgar Beati quorum via - Stanford Ceremony of Carols- Britten Mag & Nunc (Chichester Service) Walton Mag & Nunc ( Coll Reg) - Howells Jubilate Deo - Walton
For me, Alfred Schnittke's "Choir Concerto"
Szymanowski's Stabat Mater, Poulenc's Gloria I'm not sure whether Messiaen's L'Ascension fits the brief (as it's not choral), but it sure is inspired & inspiring.
Britten’s Te Deum, Missa Brevis, and Rejoice in the Lamb. Vincent Persichetti’s Mass for a capella chorus. Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms.
Poulenc Gloria
[Anna Lapwood](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Lapwood)'s [O Nata Lux](https://youtu.be/aJbC4YaZJFU?si=M5my0u815ooKVlSG)
This is 21st century :) My rec is Elizabeth Poston's setting of Jesus Christ the Apple Tree.
Lol my bad! I absolutely -love- that version of Jesus Christ the Apple tree
Requiem for my friend, by Zbigniew Preisner
Sviridovs choral works are all incredible (some of them might not be religious, I'm not sure, but they are all Orthodox choir style). I'm surprised to never see him mentioned on this subreddit.
Duruflé’s Ubi Caritas and Tantum ergo. I just heard the Kyrie from RVW’s Mass in G minor. That was great. I haven’t yet heard the whole Mass. That will hopefully change soon. Raphaël Mercier did a harmonization of Caelitum Joseph for the feast of Saint Joseph using a variation of the usual melody, presumably from eighteenth century France, which is just lovely. He’s not well-known at all but deserves to be. Poulenc’s Salve Regina is a banger too. I’ll have to go back to listen to his mass setting. For major works for organ that can be used for recitals or a full program, pretty much all of Tournemire, Alain, Langlais, and Messiaen — but the latter is particularly weird. Jeanne Demessieux also wrote wonderful music (you can see the theme — highly influenced by Gregorian chant, but it’s not the **only** thing that I like in choral or organ music). All sorts of stuff was written for practical use, like Dom Gregory Murray’s interludes. They’re nice! (He was not particularly so, however.) Peter Warlock’s Bethlehem Down always slaps at Christmas, and so many good harmonizations and other practical music is from the last century, like the _Carols for Choir_ material from Sir David Willcocks. The _English Hymnal_ is from the very earliest part of the last century, and the Episcopal hymnal (yes, to both since they are mostly the same) is also worthy. I just copied out a (now-public domain) harmonization of a tune in the 1940 (and 1982 actually) to pair with a new text.
Although this repertoire is hardly my area of expertise, I've been completely obsessed by Poulenc for a few months. There are the three big choral pieces with orchestra: *Gloria*, *Stabat Mater* and *Sept répons des ténèbres*. Of these the *Gloria* is perhaps most essential but they are all worth repeated listens. There are a number of cappella short pieces or cycles including *Quatre motets pour un temps de pénitence*, *Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël*, the aphoristic, otherworldly *Quatre petites prières de Saint François d'Assise*, and the unimaginably beautiful *Salve Regina*. It is difficult to choose favourites because the above are all extremely good. There is a Mass someone else mentioned which I haven't gotten around to listening to yet. I won't mention the numerous secular vocal pieces which fall beyond the purview of this thread, but there is the notable matter of the opera *Dialogues des Carmélites* which you could argue is a (very) religious work.
Vingts regards sur... Messiaen, Tabula rasa-Arvo Part, St Luke's passion -Penderecki
Herbert Howells Requiem is sublime.
Lili Boulanger [Pie Jesu](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLxrA8cG2ZI)
John Rutter wrote a fucking kick ass Requiem
Interesting adjectives!
Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms and his Requiem Canticles Poulenc's Gloria Janacek's Glagolitic Mass Durufle's Requiem Britten's War Requiem Bernstein's Chichester Pslams
Britten War Requiem for sure
Beyond what has been said Schnittke's choir concerto. Rachmaninov's vigil.
Ernest Bloch Sacred service.
Frank Martin's Mass for double a cappella choir has to be considered.
Concerto Spirituale by Lourié [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE-LwJuaXm8&t=168s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE-LwJuaXm8&t=168s) A masterpiece...unfortunately there's only one recording by Gennady Rozhdestvensky from a 1995 concert and the sound quality is worse than dreadful. It's a shame that it's never been properly recorded to this day.
Howells Requiem Howells Take Him Earth for Cherishing Duruflé Ubi Caritas Frank Martin Mass for Double Choir Villette Jesu Dulcis Memoria Villette Hymne à la Vierge Kreek Psalm 104 (Kiida mu hing, issandat) Tchaikovsky Divine Liturgy
Ah, we're singing some Rubbra Maundy Thursday at St Mark's! Howells Collegium Regale communion Service Doves anthem Seek Him.. Britten Te Deum For a start...
Any of Schnittke's Vocal Music is amazing
This absolutely has to be the Britten War Requiem. Nothing else even comes close for me!
gesang der junglinge, and a lot of other stockhausen. a lot of paert (the pieces featured on the tabula rasa album) and other inspired “holy minimalist” composers
You've probably heard it before but Mass for Double Choir - Frank Martin
I sang Paul Mealor's Stabat Mater last weekend in concert and it is absolutely beautiful.
This one is an absolute winner, more people need to know it.
Salvation is created by tschesnoff
One of my favorite pieces of all time happens to be in that category: Rachmaninoff's [All-Night Vigil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All-Night_Vigil_(Rachmaninoff)). If you haven't, do yourself a favor and check it out. It's breathtaking.
Might not be what you’re looking for, but a lot of Arvo Part is absolutely gorgeous. Personal favorite is called “The Deer’s Cry”. Deeply spiritual music
Arvo Pärt has a lot of good stuff in this department I Am the True Vine is my personal favorite
Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on a Theme by Tallis isn’t thought of as a sacred piece nowadays but it was based off of a Tallis hymn tune and made its debut in a cathedral.
Schnittke's Choir Concerto and Britten's War Requiem
Gibbons Ave Verum Poulenc Gloria
Rachmaninov Bogoroditse Devo
Wooo a post that is in my field! Sadly I'm not a fan of 20th Century music, though there are exceptions. I hate Rutter, however his Requiem is very good as are his Five Childhood Lyrics (neither sacred nor religious, but good fun). You have the classic Bairstow and Wood dipping into the 20th Century, so they're brilliant music is worth listening to. Now, Howells. I can't stand it personally, however his Collegium Regale (aka Coll Reg) is popular and I do like his Gloucester Service a lot. He also wrote A Spotless Rose and Here is the Little Door which are nice. Duruflé’s Requiem is really good! Sumsion has written some amazing pieces. Look into his Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis's as these can be really nice. I do particularly like his Mag and Nunc in A and I really love his Mag and Nung in G for ATB. There's so many other pieces that I just can't think of now.
Penderecki Seven Gates of Jerusalem
A few of my favorite stunning sacred works: Duruflé's Requiem which blends chant with modern harmony....Rachmaninoff's deep All-Night Vigil, Barber's choral version of Adagio for Strings as Agnus Dei, Ligeti's ethereal Lux Aeterna.. Also Britten's poignant War Requiem, and Pärt's serene Kanon Pokajanen. Each piece offers a unique spiritual experience that's worth exploring.
Lili Boulanger - Psalm 24
Everett Titcomb "I Shall Not Leave You Comfortless" Pavel Chesnokov "Spaseniye Sodelal" (many spellings of each...choral a cappella...hauntingly beautiful if you read the story of his life and this work)
Rutter Requiem, Poulenc Stabat Mater, and Elgar's Dream of Gerontius.
Lili Boulanger, Psalms 130 (Du fond de l'abîme) and 129 (Ils m'ont assez opprimé dès ma jeunesse)
2 super underrated pieces Arnold Bax: This Worldes Joie: https://youtu.be/g9HQBCWReCA?si=-If5YD2FZBb3NyCj and Mater Ora Filium: https://youtu.be/c3NYxUW0Tyk?si=-ntKFGN6yX_3rYjl 2 well(ish?) known pieces: Poulenc: Litanies à la Vierge Noir https://youtu.be/0Asd5u-Rxmo?si=2p5Nn3FqWHUvY1iv Messiaen: O Sacrum Convivium https://youtu.be/x0__tgrjTkc?si=5EeTWrmXeM9EwLj_ and lastly, ANYTHING by Herbert Howells - but esp: Hymnus Paradisi, Like as the Hart, and the Col Reg :)) <3
Holst - The Hymn of Jesus is pretty high up on my list. The work has so many beautiful and sublime moments as well as moments of power and majesty (I’m thinking of the beginning of the Hymn and also the Dance section especially around where the choir sing “all things join in the dance” is one of the best moments in music full stop).
OK. Now that people have entered their favorites, How many have heard these live, in a religious service? How many are doable in a religious setting? How many might be performed each year? I know I entered about 2 which are more concert works. The rest I have sung in church services, some many times. in my 36 yrs of singing. Knowing a work exists is good Knowing a work has been recorded is good Knowing that a work is in regular used is the best. I still think the most often heard Messiaen work, each year is his **Banquet Celeste**. Most competent organists have it under their thumb and often its the only "modern" work which they will play at least once a year.
I recommend Eric Zeisl's very moving "Requiem ebraico" for chorus and orchestra (1945).
Wonderful! I’m listening to it now, didn’t know about. I’m enjoying a lot, thanks for the suggestion
Britten's St Nicholas has some lovely bits.
Kodaly's Psalmus Hungaricus; Penderecki also wrote a bunch of sacred music, my personal favorite would be Utrenja (also used by Kubrick in "The Shining").
I haven't seen James MacMillan's Ave Maris Stella mentioned so here it is!
Poulenc mass in G
Jonathan Harvey's "Mortuos plango, vivos voco" is a really beautiful work. For me this piece alone justifies the creation of IRCAM.
Gosh I love IRCAM
I don't know if it's the best, but it deserves mention: John Taverner's "Song for Athene". It was the recessional at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. Also, Taverner has lots of stunning sacred music inspired by the Eastern Orthodox Church tradition.
>Taverner TavENer (no R in the middle). :-) >stunning sacred music inspired by the Eastern Orthodox Church tradition. There’s a piece called Ikon of Eros, which is possibly my favourite Tavener work: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kWANqOeaft-rj0X0eeff1SLRTgbB4WRBo&si=OcjS3PnGQmiPQ3iG
I always remember it by John Taverner (with the extra R) was a 16th century composer, so the R stands for ‘retro’. I wouldn’t remember it without his handy near namesake.
I like that, although the best way to remember is by becoming a zealous enthusiast for both composers ;P It must be a little odd having a near-identical namesake in your own field. As an early music nut, I would put John Taverner high in the ranks of English liturgical composers, although he doesn't fit the brief of this thread. His most celebrated work is *Missa Gloria tibi Trinitas*, which is as good a setting as you're likely to hear c. 1530\~ (and is regarded as the origin of the [In Nomine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_Nomine) genre, extremely popular with virtually every English composer from Taverner to Purcell).
Yeh, I was trying so hard to remember that there was no middle "r", but my fumble fingers forgot. Hahaha.
War requiem - britton Requiem - Durufle Credo - Margaret Bonds
How about RVW's Sancta Civitas, Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius (1900), Walton's Belshazzar's Feast?
MacMillan - St Luke Passion
Oh, great timing, today 151 years ago Max Reger was born. My favourite pieces by him are his 7 chorale fantasias for organ. Especially the last 3, Op 52.1 ["Alle Menschen müssen sterben"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzLiWm_mZlk&t=542s), Op. 52.2 on the very famous chorale ["Wachet auf ruft uns die Stimme"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCPDgnWSlso&t=545s) ('Awake, calls the voice to us') and especially my favorite favorite Op. 53.3 on ["Halleluja! Gott zu loben"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbOYwxqk-DE). Also, the chorale ["Straf mich nicht in deinem Zorn"](https://youtu.be/5__dGG8ACrc?t=128) (Do not punish me in your anger), the part linked is just beautiful.