Vienna Cathedral Music
Ensembles
The Cathedral Music is provided by the Vienna Cathedral Choir, St. Stephen’s Vocal Ensemble, St. Stephen’s Capella, St. Stephen’s Scholae and the Vienna Cathedral Orchestra. The artistic director of all ensembles is the Director of Music Markus Landerer, who has overall responsibility for the music in the cathedral since 2007. Notable vocal soloists from the Vienna State Opera and the Vienna Volksoper, among others, work in close cooperation.
The main area in which the Cathedral Music is engaged is the traditional Viennese high mass, which is celebrated at 10.15 a.m. on Sundays and religious feast days. The music plays a very special role in this solemn service. The main work is usually a Mass-setting. Naturally, there is a strong emphasis on the Viennese tradition with pieces by Haydn, Mozart, Schubert and Bruckner, supplemented by Gregorian chant, organ music and individual movements in various vocal and orchestral combinations.
Congregational singing is supplemented with choir and orchestra. A programme is provided for each high mass. It contains not only the prayers and hymns but also short introductions to the liturgy and the music.
The high mass, performed by Vienna Cathedral Music, is broadcast live every Sunday and on religious public holidays at 10.15 a.m. by Radio Klassik Stephansdom.