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BENNO AMMANN : Missa «Defensor Pacis»
(for unaccompanied SSCTBB div. choir)
Thursday 15 May, 1947 – St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City
Sistine Singers, cond. S. Exz Don Lorenzo Perosi
Hug & Co. Musikverlage, 1954 (GH 9965)
The Missa «Defensor Pacis» was written for the celebration of the canonization of Niklaus von Flüe (1417-1487), and accordingly has the subtitle "in honorem S. Nicolai Helvetii Eremitage" ("in honor of the Swiss saint and hermit Niklaus von Flüe"). With complex 6-12 voice polyphony, countless variations, and use of cantus firmus technique, Benno Ammann's Missa is one of the most important and extensive Masses written by a Swiss composer for a cappella choir.