Chancel Choir presents Rheinberger Messe During worship for Christ the King Sunday (November 20), the Chancel Choir will present Josef Gabriel Rheinberger's Mass in F Minor, Op. 159. Rheinberger (1839-1901) was born in Liechtenstein and at the age of seven was appointed the organist of his parish church in his hometown of Vaduz. After study in Munich, he became professor of organ and composition at the Conservatoire and director of church music for the Bavarian court. He produced a relatively large output of compositions, writing in almost every genre including opera, but today is known mainly for his organ works. As a church musician, he composed a great deal of choral music, among which are 18 masses for differing vocal forces and accompaniments. Although the Mass in F Minor is a comparatively small-scale work, it has become one of his most admired compositions. Clarity and simplicity are apparent as Rheinberger makes use of the organ to support and amplify the vocal texture. A lush romanticism pervades the work, with frequent chromatic harmonies, imitative counterpoint and tender melodies. An anonymous donor gave the scores for the work in appreciation of the Chancel Choir 2005-2006.