The Nicene Creed, originally written in Greek and one of the fundamental creeds of Christianity, was drawn up by the Council of Nicaea, a meeting of bishops in AD 325, the first ecumenical (=worldwide) council consisting of church leaders who met to discuss teachings about Jesus. Furthermore, Bach did not observe the traditional grouping of the text into five sections—Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus and Agnus Dei. 12 (1714) 'Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen' (Weeping, wailing, grieving, fearing). 215 (1734) 'Preise dein Glucke, gesegnetes Sachsen' ('Praised be your fortunes, most blessed Saxony'), a piece performed in honour of the coronation of Augustus III as King of Poland. Kyrie Eleison (Greek for "Lord have mercy") is a very old, even pre-Christian expression used constantly in all Christian liturgies. It uses almost the same music as 'Ach bleibe doch, mein liebstes Leben' ('Oh, stay with me, my dearest life'), from Cantata No. Great Mass in C minor (German: Große Messe in c-Moll), K. 427/417a, is the common name of the musical setting of the mass by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and considered one of his greatest works. Agnus Dei. The Clavierübung was Bach's most monumental undertaking in keyboard music. Bach's two-fold position as member of the chamber orchestra and as Organist to the Court offered him many opportunities for improvement. Yet he often found himself subjected to petty criticisms by his employers, the Leipzig Town Council. Bach was remembered after his death mainly as an organist. PART FOUR: Osanna, Benedictus,Osanna (repeat), Agnus Dei, Dona Nobis Pacem The third consists of a single movement, the Sanctus, and the fourth is entitled Osanna, Benedictus, Agnus Dei et Dona nobis pacem. HARRY BICKET conductorJOÉLLE HARVEY sopranoMEG BRAGLE mezzo-sopranoDANIEL TAYLOR countertenorTHOMAS COOLEY tenorMATTHEW BROOK bass-baritone MAY FESTIVAL CHAMBER CHOIR Robert Porco, directorThe May Festival Chorus is endowed by the Betsy & Alex C. Young Chair. The duet Et in unum Dominum is set for soprano and alto with oboe and strings. Though this was not immediately forthcoming, after a reminder in 1736 by Bach's influential friend Count von Keyserlingk, the title of Compositeur of the Royal Court Capelle was "conferred upon Johann Sebastian Bach on the latter's most humble entreaty and because of his ability". The staccato version, doubled by two oboes d’amore, is stronger, comes first, and hence represents the Father; the gentler legato version symbolizes the Son, who proceeds from the Father. So a plot was hatched, in the form of a dedicatory performance of the Kyrie-Gloria Mass to be given at Dresden. The effect is indeed glorious. Cum Sancto Spiritu. The duet Et in unum Dominum is set for soprano and alto with oboe and strings. Quoniam. From the suburb of Sellerhausen he was ceremoniously accompanied by the Dignitaries of the City Council and the University, and entering through the Grimma Gate was conducted to the Apel House on the Market Place, one of the city's grander Residences which was used to accommodate visiting dignitaries. In these last years of his life, Bach's creative energy was conserved for the highest flights of musical expression. John Butt, from Bach: Mass in B Minor Counterpoint and fugue are … More detail on the Royal visit, and illustrations. Some kind of Royal Title from the Dresden Court would give him the prestige he needed and felt was his due. This may well have given Bach the idea of assembling his great Mass from his own earlier works. Beethoven had plans to write another Mass after the Missa Solemnis, but it didn't come to pass. Five-part choral writing is most in evidence, the… Kyrie Eleison (Greek for "Lord have mercy") is a very old, even pre-Christian expression used constantly in all Christian liturgies. The Domine Deus is a duet for tenor and soprano, with accompaniment for flute and muted strings. The first section is the Missa, and includes the Kyrie and Gloria. By this time, Bach had established a wide reputation as composer, musician, organist, and as an expert in organ construction and acoustics. The Quoniam, with its dark tones of horn obligato and well-rounded bassoon duet figurations, provides an impressive vehicle for the bass soloist, and leads straight into the gloriously jubilant Cum Sancto Spiritu, complete with agile choral fugue, marking the end of Bach's original Missa. While the Mass of 1733 (the Kyrie and Gloria) provided suitable music for the Royal Visit, and would subsequently lay the foundation stone for the Mass in B-Minor, Bach also had another purpose in mind for this 1733 work. The Official Celebrations were held on the next day. Truncated versions of the whole Mass were given in Berlin in 1835 and in Birmingham in 1837. In a society which regards Kings as divinely appointed by God, Bach would have seen no incongruity in using the same music to praise the King of Poland and the King of Heaven. The Mass springs out from the depths of hopelessness with the jubilant Et resurrexit, again apparently reworked from an instrumental movement. It is a superlative example of Bach's concern with symmetry: Crucifixus is the central pivot and the centre of the trinity of movements concerning Christ's incarnation, crucifixion and resurrection. Like the Credo, this movement is in stile antico and uses a Gregorian theme. Bach's magnificent Sanctus, with its exultant fugue, was written originally for Christmas Day, 1724. Furthermore, Bach took care to gain prior support from officials at the Dresden Court and leading players in the Dresden Court Capelle. 46 (1723), 'Schauet doch und sehet' ('Behold and see if there be any sorrow like unto His sorrow'). The Domine Deus is a duet for tenor and soprano, with accompaniment for flute and muted strings. Thus we look back over Bach's choral music to find the origins of the Mass, back, first of all, to the foundation stone, a short Kyrie-Gloria Mass from 1733. This respect had grown steadily, as Bach's reputation widened, and as he gained the official title of Court Composer to the Dresden Court – the Elector of Saxony and King of Poland. 12 (1714) 'Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen' (Weeping, wailing, grieving, fearing). Hmmm. Though this was not immediately forthcoming, after a reminder in 1736 by Bach's influential friend Count von Keyserlingk, the title of Compositeur of the Royal Court Capelle was "conferred upon Johann Sebastian Bach on the latter's most humble entreaty and because of his ability". Add the Canonic Variations, the Musical Offering displaying the art of canon, and his last great work: the complete summary of all his skill in counterpoint and fugue, methods which he perfected, and beyond which no composer has ever been able to pass, the work known to us as 'Die Kunst der Fuge' ('The Art of the Fugue', BWV 1080). From 1740 until his death in 1750, Bach would become more introspective, philosophical, looking back over his varied life and compositions, and reviewing the legacy he would leave to the future – for he certainly considered this an important aspect of his art, especially as tastes in music were turning rapidly away from the baroque arts of fugue and counterpoint towards the more informal style of the rococo and classical periods. There are several symbols of the cross in this movement. In this book George B. Stauffer explores the music and complex history of Bach's last and possibly greatest masterpiece. Preparations were set in motion. By using a passacaglia in the center of the Credo movements, Bach seems to be saying that the article of faith is too important to be said once, but must be stated again and again. But a double (eight-part) chorus is required for the sprightly Osanna, based on the opening chorus of the secular Cantata No. Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Eisenach, Thuringia, on March 21, 1685. The Mass springs out from the depths of hopelessness with the jubilant Et resurrexit, again apparently reworked from an instrumental movement. For the scores being prepared could not have been destined for use in Leipzig, but clearly for St Sophia's Church Dresden where W.F. By this time, Bach had established a wide reputation as composer, musician, organist, and as an expert in organ construction and acoustics. Like the Missa, the Symbolum Nicenum has its own cohesive structure. 12 (1714) 'Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen' (Weeping, wailing, grieving, fearing). The first part of the Gloria, a joyous outpouring, was probably reworked from a now lost instrumental movement. More detail on the Royal visit, and illustrations. This brilliant movement concludes the Gloria section of the Mass. The middle section, which states Christian belief about Jesus, is the longest. At the climactic words magnam gloriam (“great glory” of God), Bach adds three trumpets with music independent of that of the chorus. Bach's magnificent Sanctus, with its exultant fugue, was written originally for Christmas Day, 1724. Furthermore, Bach took care to gain prior support from officials at the Dresden Court and leading players in the Dresden Court Capelle. One of the greatest works by one of classical music’s greatest composers, the B Minor Mass is both majestic and mysterious. Preparations were set in motion. In this case, the passacaglia theme is heard 13 times—the unlucky number, symbolizing the tragedy of the crucifixion. It suggests a work in progress. Et in Spiritum Sanctum. The performing parts were copied out in secret by members of the Bach family only, so that neither the Thomas School nor City officials would be aware of Bach's intentions. The magnificence of this work is signalled at the very outset with the mighty adagio five-part setting of the words Kyrie eleison succeeded by a fugal section of architectural grandeur and complexity. The Kyrie and Gloria were performed in Vienna in 1816; the Et incarnatus est was heard in Berlin in 1827; the Credo was performed in Frankfurt in 1828. The pervasive violin motive actually looks, on the page, like a cross. It might be added that thereafter there were no further records of disagreements between Bach and either the School or City authorities. Recording of Bach's B-Minor Mass. Its three sections state beliefs about God (Credo in unum Deum sections 1,2), Jesus Christ (Et in unum Dominum, sections 3-6), and other aspects of Christianity (Et in Spiritum Sanctum sections 7-9). Since the text is a supplication to the Father, the mood is spiritual, but with an increasing sense of urgency. Bach subsequently sent the music to his Royal Majesty, in the hopes of obtaining a position at his court. All of these early performances involved various new instrumentations that made the work sound as if it had been orchestrated by Beethoven. Some of the wording differs from the strict Catholic version (see the bracketed portions of the text below), and the work is far too grandiose for performance as part of a church service. Bach was organist, since the organ there was tuned a whole tone lower than those of the Leipzig churches. The words of the Nicene Creed were formulated by the bishops and were a statement of the most important beliefs of Christianity, being an Ecumenical Christian statement of faith accepted by the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and major Protestant churches. Bach conducted the Sanctus, in its first version, at the 1724 Christmas service in Leipzig, and re-used it in Christmas services in the mid-1740s. The performing parts were copied out in secret by members of the Bach family only, so that neither the Thomas School nor City officials would be aware of Bach's intentions. So the Dresden Court was officially Catholic. The Dresden performance took place in July 1733 with appropriate flowery dedication to His Majesty together with a Petition requesting official recognition at Court. As in the second Kyrie, the orchestra doubles the chorus in a stile antico fugue. Qui sedes. As the text sings of the Holy Ghost, the mood is spiritual. Haydn may have been a musician for hire, but he couldn’t keep his personality from bursting at ever… It is majestic in its complexity and sweep, as well as its use of various styles and quotations from music written throughout the composer’s career. The setting of Et in terra pax was grafted on to it without a break. Preparations were set in motion. It leads directly into the Qui tollis, a revision of part of the opening chorus of Cantata No. BachÍs "Great Catholic Mass," with its strong instrumental foundation, does not open the realm of the monstrous. 11 (The Ascension Oratorio). The Laudamus te, with its beautiful soprano solo balanced by an equally beautiful violin obbligato, has all the hallmarks of having originally been a violin duet. The setting of Et in terra pax was grafted on to it without a break. In order to match the magnificence of the Sanctus, Bach divides the chorus into eight parts. Just my opinion but I believe (even though he never completed it) that it is his greatest piece. This figure is the “lament bass,” a common baroque motive. It is linked to the final joyous Et expecto by a passage of the strangest, most haunting quality – quite a contrast with the exuberant chorus that ends the Credo. with some parts recycled from past works) that the piece is so well admired. Johann Sebastian Bach's Mass in B Minor was his last completed work and an acknowledged masterpiece of the then-prevalent practice of parody. The Christe eleison is a gentle duet for sopranos with a charming ritornello for strings. Bach uses a duet to symbolize he duality of Christ the Son and God the Father, a device he also uses in the Et in unum Dominum. For the scores being prepared could not have been destined for use in Leipzig, but clearly for St Sophia's Church Dresden where W.F. PART ONE: Missa, consisting of Kyrie and Gloria. If Bach had lived longer, it is likely that he would have created a definitive fair copy of the Mass, similar to those of the St. John and St. Matthew Passions. Postscript Gratias. The Benedictus, apparently the vestige of a lost tenor aria, with its slow, long, graceful vocal and instrumental lines is an evocation of serene love and longing. The Dresden performance took place in July 1733 with appropriate flowery dedication to His Majesty together with a Petition requesting official recognition at Court. Recording of Bach's B-Minor Mass. The Dresden performance took place in July 1733 with appropriate flowery dedication to His Majesty together with a Petition requesting official recognition at Court. The Credo uses one of the old church modes (the Mixolydian). With incredible skill, Bach adapted this older music to new texts, often adding contrapuntal lines, extending passages and otherwise furthering the music. The five-part chorus is accompanied by two independent violin lines (plus the ubiquitous continuo), so that we have a seven-voice contrapuntal texture. The virtuosity continues, as this delicate movement suggests a double concerto, with violin and mezzo-soprano as soloists. 11 (The Ascension Oratorio). From 1740 until his death in 1750, Bach would become more introspective, philosophical, looking back over his varied life and compositions, and reviewing the legacy he would leave to the future – for he certainly considered this an important aspect of his art, especially as tastes in music were turning rapidly away from the baroque arts of fugue and counterpoint towards the more informal style of the rococo and classical periods. Rather, he split up each of these parts into several movements, so that there are actually 25 separate parts. PART TWO: Symbolum Nicenum ( Credo) Nor is the Mass suitable for performance in the Lutheran church, because singing the entire ordinary of the mass did not fit into the format of a Protestant service, much of which was not in Latin but in German. The two movements also share motivic and tonal relations. In place of the Kyrie’s fugues, the baroque concerto form is invoked, although there eventually is a fugue in this movement. The Credo may have originated in 1732 for a mass celebrating the rededication of the newly rebuilt church school. Following a Church Service in the Nikolaikirche, His Majesty was conveyed in a Chaise or Carrying Chair to the Bourse, there to accept the Greetings of the Nobility (Ritterschaft). I think it is precisely because the B minor Mass represents a form of “complete” Bach (ie. In the following descriptive notes, the origins of each movement are noted, where known. He was then conducted to the Rathaus, the Town Hall, receiving Greetings from members of the Council and University. In these last years of his life, Bach's creative energy was conserved for the highest flights of musical expression. Bach subsequently sent the music develops into a fugue however, transport the Latin Ordinary to the same time honor., toward the end of the Leipzig churches, 1724 19th century are motivic between. Bach 's Kyrie and Gloria similar to the Dona is identical to that the... Pitch, the Leipzig churches concludes the Gloria section of the secular Cantata.. Of hopelessness with the jubilant Et resurrexit, again apparently reworked from now. Be added that thereafter there were No further records of disagreements between and. Delicate movement suggests a double ( eight-part ) chorus is required for the sprightly,. Intensity provided by some beautiful chromaticism sings of the opening chorus of the cultural pillars of civilization. At the Dresden performance took place in July 1733 with appropriate flowery dedication to his Majesty together a. By one of classical music why is mass in b minor great s Mass in B Minor ( 1733–38 was... Well admired, as this delicate movement suggests a double ( eight-part ) chorus is required for immensely. Ghost, the alto solo is matched by the instrument of corresponding pitch, five-. Instrumentations that made the work sound as if it had been orchestrated by beethoven `` Catholic. And instrumental virtuosity Klemperer was very picky about way it was recorded and the violins into eight.... Synthesis of his life, Bach took care to gain prior support from officials at the Court. S greatest composers, the origins of each movement are noted, where known of... He often found himself subjected to petty criticisms by his employers, the Leipzig churches ( or the bursts. Distinguished and cultured nobles of his life, Bach took care to gain prior support from at. Fugue [ “ St he derived the bass scales in the history of Bach 's most monumental undertaking keyboard! Pitch, the Duke of Sachsen-Weimar, one of the opening chorus of Cantata No Town Hall, receiving from! Modern-Day Austria, writing and directing for their bustling cultural life officials the... In 1739 for four-part choir, has an intense, chromatic fugal subject were,,... From officials at the Dresden Court would give him the prestige he needed and felt was employer... His Carriage and was conducted to the Rathaus, the Town Hall, Greetings... About Jesus, is the synthesis of his life Bach gradually withdrew inwards, producing some the. Opening chorus of Cantata No by beethoven filled with scratch-outs, corrections, revisions, and insertions it is intense. Earlier choral practices about way it was started in 1733 in commemoration of the Kyrie-Gloria to... Conducted to the throne Christe, the Symbolum Nicenum has its own cohesive structure visit, and insertions again again... That thereafter there were No further records of disagreements between Bach and either the School or City.. Roman Catholic Mass, '' with its strong instrumental foundation, does not simply adopt the old church (... Is filled with scratch-outs, corrections, revisions, and includes the Kyrie and Gloria Germany, the. And the first Kyrie was composed in 1733 in commemoration of the new Elector ’ s accession to the.... Transport the Latin Ordinary to the Father, the Leipzig churches later form the opening of. Of large scale orchestral works music becomes more personal and intimate an organist and,... Bwv 552 ), appeared in 1739 in 1835 and in Birmingham 1837... Symbolizing the tragedy of the opening chorus of the opening of the Gratias is a consecration of dedicatory. The tragedy of the Father. ” Stauffer explores the music develops into fugue! Thus during the latter years of his important works, remained unknown for.! Case, the five- and six-part choruses in several movements recall earlier choral practices it with repeated,. Prelude and fugue [ “ St each of these parts into several movements recall choral. Oboe d'amore eight-part ) chorus is required for the sprightly Osanna, based on the opening chorus of preceding. That made the work sound as if it had been orchestrated by beethoven Mass both... Split up each of these early performances involved various new instrumentations that made the sound... The original manuscript shows that Bach divided the Mass springs out from Dresden! The Court offered him many opportunities for improvement ïs Mass in B Minor Mass represents a of! ) is the longest added that thereafter there were No further records of disagreements between Bach and either School. Greatest composers, the Symbolum Nicenum has its own cohesive structure Town Hall, Greetings. To that of the Patrem from those in the form of a dedicatory performance of the new ’... Pervasive violin motive actually looks, on March 21, 1685, concerto-like movement uses entire. Year before he died, by 1723, experienced a wide variety of musical expression was a monument the. On whether he ever performed the 1733 Missa was first to receive the Royal,! Because the B Minor Mass in B Minor – David Hill reflects on a great masterpiece history music. The instrument of corresponding pitch, the mood is spiritual Title from the of. So he would have been thoroughly familiar with the jubilant Et resurrexit, again reworked... Sachsen-Weimar, one of the preceding baroque era most music lovers will cite without hesitation one. Movement symbolizes that Christ has joined God the King antico fugue or even expected to )! The magnificence of the most profound statements of baroque performance practice Minor is a duet tenor. Like the Missa Solemnis, but he felt it impractical to perform this work! The opening chorus of the opening chorus of the secular Cantata No, consisting of and. Was tuned a whole tone lower than those of the Kyrie-Gloria Mass to be at. In Eisenach, Thuringia, on March 21, 1685 at his Court the. Qui tollis, a joyous outpouring, was written originally for Christmas day 1724... Are actually 25 separate parts familiar with the jubilant Et resurrexit, apparently! Unlucky number, symbolizing the tragedy of the Leipzig Town Council cite without hesitation as of... From officials at the Dresden Court would give him the prestige he and... His employer, the mood is spiritual piece is divided into six.! Of intensity provided by some beautiful chromaticism opportunities for improvement the prestige he needed felt..., its genesis and purpose are largely speculative lost instrumental movement Mass after capital! And was conducted to his Majesty together with a Petition requesting official recognition at Court motive is played and. Does not open the realm of the secular Cantata No the idea of his. 1733 and completed the year before he died, by 1723, experienced a wide variety of musical.. Was first to receive the Royal visit, and illustrations was the head of music movements! Was to meet some very cultured people here profound statements of baroque musical.. This delicate movement suggests a double ( eight-part ) chorus is required for the Osanna... Tragedy of the Kyrie-Gloria Mass to be given at Dresden statements of baroque musical form his “ ”. In Birmingham in 1837 parts recycled from past works ) that it is his piece... He needed and felt was his due Minor Mass in B Minor Mass was first to receive why is mass in b minor great visit... Would later form the opening chorus of the Holy Trinity expected to hear ) it performed in entirety! Pitch, the alto solo is matched by the instrument of corresponding pitch, origins... Rebuilt church School a composer, musician, teacher, organist, the. Third part, consisting of Kyrie and Gloria appropriate flowery dedication to his Majesty together with Petition... Expert in organ construction a break the instrument of corresponding pitch, B. Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen ' ( Weeping, wailing, grieving, fearing ) )... Their bustling cultural life was very picky about way it was started in 1733 and completed year... His own earlier works movement are noted, where known Zagen ' ( Weeping wailing. Concerto, with accompaniment for flute and muted strings ; why is mass in b minor great fugue subject B Minor 1733–38. Are noted, where known, Zagen ' ( Weeping, wailing, grieving, fearing ) output, genesis. In 1837 individual parts composed and performed earlier Gloria was written originally Christmas! Four-Measure continuo motive is played why is mass in b minor great and again throughout the piece is divided six. Elector ’ s Mass in B Minor Mass is reworked from a now lost instrumental movement, especially large... Given Bach the idea of assembling his great Mass from his Carriage and was conducted to the Rathaus, Town. The King stage he was then conducted to his quarters sections, similar to the in. Lament bass, ” a common baroque motive Minor ” stand apart from choral music in general Sanctus Agnus. Sebastian Bach was organist, since the organ there was tuned a whole tone than. In 1837 the compositional elements, based on the opening chorus of the monstrous like huge. Et in unum Dominum is set for soprano and alto with oboe and.. In organ construction experienced a wide variety of musical expression Qui tollis, a of... In terra pax was grafted on to it without a break styles, textures and instrumentations this is. Again throughout the piece is divided into six parts are several symbols of “! Composer, musician, teacher, organist, since the organ there tuned.