Bach: Mass in B minor / Reinhard Goebel

The Mass in B minor BWV 232, an absolute masterpiece by Johann Sebastian Bach, will be in the Sala Santa Cecilia at the Auditorium Parco della Musica between 14 and 16 November; on the podium Reinhard Goebel conducts the Orchestra in place of Semyon Bychkov, assisted by a prestigious quartet of soloists.

The Mass, written in different years by Bach - between 1724 and 1723 in fact the initial parts Kyrie, Gloria and Sanctus were composed, while the rest was born in the last years of Bach's life, between 1746 and 1749 - was performed in its entirety only more than a century later, in 1859.

Considered one among the highest creations of the human spirit (the work is registered in the UNESCO Memory of the World register), this great composition is characterized by a writing full of profound spirituality and unparalleled beauty. In the course of the long history of music, in fact, the Mass in B minor ranks among the limited number of the most significant works of all time, so much so that it was defined by Franz Liszt over a century after its composition as "the highest peak of the sacred repertoire of all times." In fact, in this great composition, Bach managed to synthesize the major expressions of Christian thought, Catholic and Lutheran theology in a single creation.

Among the main performers, we remember: Miriam Kutrowatz (soprano), Catriona Morison (mezzo-soprano), Benjamin Bruns (tenor), Christian Immler (bass). Choir Master Andrea Secchi; Orchestra and Choir of the National Academy of Santa Cecilia.

The concert on Friday 15 November is broadcast live at 8.30pm by Rai RadioTre.

Photo credits: courtesy of the Auditorium Parco della Musica official site