Hermann Schroeder

Ecce sacerdos magnus

Apart from a large number of vocal church music compositions, Hermann Schroeder wrote two settings of the responsory Ecce sacerdos magnus in honour of the festive reception for a bishop. The older composition was written in 1950 for a pontifical liturgy celebrated by Joseph Cardinal Frings on the occasion of the 7th Conference of the International Society for New Church Music and is now published for the first time. Although this hymnal chant for 4- to 6-part choir (SSATTB) and organ had been a regular part of the repertoire of the Choir of the Cathedral of Cologne for many years, it fell into oblivion after the liturgical reform of the Second Vatican Council and was rediscovered on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Cathedral Choir in 2013. This church music gem is ideal for festive occasions and a rewarding addition to the repertoire, especially for choirs with high artistic standards, just as high sopranos and a powerful tenor section.