In addition to Hexameron's excellent suggestions, I would say that Faure's Requiem is one piece that can be virtually guaranteed to please. It's not too heavy, and might be a good intro to religious choral music.
As mentioned, Handel's Messiah is another, as it's not too heavy. The full version is quite long but you can get a shorter version which fits on one CD, the best one being by Sir Thomas Beecham (this is the classic version).
Bach's Mass in B Min is quite long too, and the best version without doubt is conducted by John Eliot Gardner, but this too is quite long. Some people reckon Bach's St Mathews Passion is better.
I must say that my favourite choral piece is Brahms German Requiem, but for "young ears" of a 14/15 year old you might find it a bit heavy. If you like the others then this one should be added later (get the Klemperer version), together with Beethoven's Missa Solemnis (the Benedictus of which is to die for, and get the Klemperer version too).
Topaz
Last edited by Topaz; Dec-23-2006 at 22:25.
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