Bach's H‐moll Missa: Eglise St Germain des Près

About the Event

Quintessence of his genius, the Mass in Minor is undoubtedly the most beautiful work that Bach bequeathed to posterity, the culmination of a lifetime although written in a discontinuous manner — the work brings together some pieces written and played separately — all forming a perfectly balanced and homogeneous ensemble, striking by its variety of style and contrasts.It took almost a quarter century for this work to come into being: The Sanctus was composed for Christmas Day 1724 Kyrie and Gloria were written in 1733 for Frederick Augustus, in support of his request for nomination as composer of the Royal Polish Court and the electorate of Saxony. Called 'Missa Brevis' and written in B minor, it is originally described by Bach as 'an insignificant example of my musical skills'. It was much later, between 1747 and 1749, the year before his death, that Bach decided to extend the Mass to Crédo and Agnus Dei, either with new compositions or using parts of earlier cantatas.

After writing the two Passions, Bach seems to reveal himself before leaving this world, and to be at peace with himself. He no longer needs to prove his talent, nor to dazzle anyone but just put the order into a final great repetition, all in an unparalleled work. The Mass in Si is not only the concentrate of all Bach's art, but also the admission of all his philosophy. By choosing the Nicene Creed, the most ecumenical, the most universal, the deepest and the least used in sacred music, Bach signs with the serenity of the one who would soon leave, a true ode to humanity, to reconciliation .This monument is written for 5 soloists and choir which most of the time is divided into 5 or even 6 and even 8 distinct voices, and has 27 parts including 16 choruses. Nothing is superfluous, everything is linked in a logical sequence, indispensable, which refocuses us and we listen with thirst until the last note Never given in its totality during the lifetime of its composer, this score of unusual proportions is a true synthesis of baroque polyphonic music. The unique richness of its musical language paves the way for the classical period and continues to nurture all musical styles.