Stick Time: Masterpiece, Warhorse, Chestnut

Whether they are known by the term “Warhorses,” “Chestnuts,” or the somewhat more pedantic “Standard Repertoire,” there is a body of major choral works that seem to have been generally accepted as falling under the heading of “masterpieces.”  The titles should be familiar to everyone in the profession and include such works as Ein Deutsches Requiem (Brahms), Manzoni Requiem (Verdi), St. Matthew Passion (Bach).  One of the slightly more intimate works that seems to perennially find its way on to the list is the Mass for Unaccompanied Double Choir of the Swiss composer Frank Martin.