ChoralNet's resources contain several entries for SATB with strings. It's a little confusing that you ask for something "off the beaten path" but then reference the Vivaldi Gloria, which is as close to the center of the path as they come. Not everyone thinks the same things are on the "beaten path". Do you want something truly offbeat? Something no more difficult than the Vivaldi Gloria? How about Schubert's Mass in G? Or one of the Mozart Vespers? or Haydn's Missa Brevis Sancti Joannes de Deo? If you are more adventurous, one of Delalande's grand-motets, such as Confitebor tibi Domine would be good.

 

If this isn't what you're looking for, give us some more clues. What kind of group, how many singers, how good an orchestra, how sophisticated an audience, what skill level of sight-reading?

Try Franz Schubert's delightful Mass in G Major, with accompaniment of String quartet and organ (or piano, if no organ is available).

 

Pat Maimone

Organist-Choir Director,  Classical Service

Mt. Olive Lutheran Church

Santa Monica, CA 91205

If you can do a slightly different orchestration (11 instruments) Sing for the Cure  (You can cut out certain mvts and make it a tad shorter).

Jay Kawarsky

How about L'amours de Ronsard by Darius Milhaud?

 

Best wishes,

Pertti

Schubert Mass in G is good, if you get SATB solo (they are not that difficult).

Kentaro Sato's Laetentur Caeli is short (15min) but lovely. Youtube 2nd movement.

Also, his Requiem is lovely too, but the instrumentation is bit larger and it needs Soprano solo.

Faure's Requiem would be fine with strings and organ.

Durufle's Requiem would be fine with strings and organ.

My 20 minute LOGOS, for choir and strings (or organ) might be worth considering.  I'd be happy to send score and sound samples.  Text is the prologue to the gospel of John. 

You might consider Handel's "Dixit Dominus".

Since they have done some Vivaldi before,you might check into some of his lesserknown choral pieces(Beatus Vir,DixitDominus etc.)

They are quite lovely and it could even be a start of a yearly choral festival of Vivaldi.

I've always found that once you know the style of a composers work it is easy to learn new pieces by that same composer.

David Fetz

Tenor Soloist

Valley Presbytrian Church

Pardise Valley, AZ

You can't go wrong with the "Gloria" of Mark Hayes. It is simply amazing. Check it at jwpeeper website, they have a demo. 

 

David N

Since you have done the Vivaldi - you should look at the "Magnificat" by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (Durante)...it is a bit shorter than the Vivaldi - but a great work!

 

jamesdmoyer(a)verizon.net

Definitely off the beaten path, "Credo in G" by Giacomo Puccini "senior" (1712-1781), this is the great great grandfather of the more famous opera composer. For SATB choir, some solos, strings and continuo. Published by Hinshaw Music (HMB 225).

 

Also, try the elder Puccini's "Magnificat" for SATB choir, some solos, strings and continuo, also published by HInshaw Music (HMB 189).

 

Finally, there is "Kyrie" by Nicola Porpora, SATB choir (no solos), strings and continuo, published by Hinshaw Music (HMB 197).

 

If you're interested in looking more closely at these, I can probably get you a perusal copy of each.

 

Martin