Christopher Monks, The Choir of Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge - Rheinberger: Sacred choral music (1997)

Shortly before his death, Reinberger wrote a letter to a student outlining his musical philosophy, arguing that many of the most experimental and progressive musical styles of his time contradicted what he considered the true spirit of music. Listening to his music, we can hear his philosophy in sound and admire the skill that he applied in composing music, which, if not truly original or complex, nevertheless pleases with its honest search for musical beauty: "Music without melodiousness and beauty of sound has no legitimacy. I am well aware that my point of view has many opponents, but white is white, not gray and black. Music should never sound dull or gloomy. Music is basically an expression of joy, and even pain knows no pessimism."