JS Bach's Mass in B Minor
Date: Saturday 16 April 2022, 3pm
Venue: Sydney Town Hall
What would be your “desert island” Bach?
At Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, they would nominate his Mass in B minor. In just under two hours, this astonishing choral work does it all. On the one hand, it’s a literal portfolio of Bach’s tremendous musical accomplishment – a virtuoso display of style and taste, from the academic to the fashionable, wonderfully varied and yet completely coherent. Easily the most impressive job application in the history of music. Bach collated many of his finest vocal and orchestral styles and examples from across his lifetime: it’s like a sublime “best-of album” from 300 years ago.
When Bach eventually completed the Mass in B minor, he signed it “D.S.G.” – Deo Soli Gloria, the Latin term for Latin term for Glory to God alone. This music was a celebration of an ancient liturgical tradition – an ecumenical setting of the Latin Mass by a deeply devout Lutheran inspired to the glory of God alone.
It was also completely impractical: too long for use in church and calling for brilliant musicians – it’s as if every singer and instrumentalist has a solo part to play. But that’s exactly what makes it so satisfying in the concert hall. In her first concert as Associate Music Director, Dr. Elizabeth Scott will conduct the beautiful voices of SPC's Chamber Singers and young adult choir, VOX – a precision ensemble of singers – accompanied by their own 42-piece Baroque period instrument orchestra, four of Australia's best soloists, for a virtuoso performance to do justice to Bach’s supreme musical craft and spiritual inspiration.
PROGRAM
Deborah CHEETHAM & Matthew DOYLE Tarimi Nulay – Long time living here*
Johann Sebastian BACH Mass in B minor, BWV 232
* Commissioned for our 100 Minutes of New Australian Music project.
This performance will run for approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes, including one 20-minute interval.
Dr. Elizabeth Scott, Conductor
Top: Celeste Lazarenko, soprano; Anna Dowsley, mezzo-soprano
Below: Jonathan Abernethy, tenor; Simon Lobelson, baritone.
ARTISTS
Elizabeth Scott conductor
Celeste Lazarenko soprano
Anna Dowsley mezzo-soprano
Jonathan Abernethy tenor
Simon Lobelson baritone
Chamber Singers
VOX
Sydney Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra
Composed over the course of 16 years, Bach's B Minor Mass is a
compendium of every aspect of Bach’s genius and a profound testament of his faith.
Johann Sebastian Bach was a deeply religious man. On July 28, 1750, less than a year after completing B-minor
Mass, he died in Leipzig, due to complications from treatment
following eye surgery. His body in a humble oak casket was buried in a
site unmarked until the mid-19th century. Mozart found revelation in
Bach's work reflected in the younger composer's famous unfinished Requiem. But
it was not until 1829, during Mendelssohn's revival of Bach's work, in
particular, Mendelssohn’s momentous performance of the St. Matthew Passion
that secured Bach’s place in history.
Bach's Mass was published in 1845,
nearly 100 years after the composer's death. Complete performances followed in
Europe. Bach's B-minor Mass is a masterful combination of sublimity and
profundity.
Reviews:
Bach: Mass in B Minor (Sydney Philharmonia Choirs). Bach’s magnificent Easter offering is given it due reward by a crack team. 4.5 stars. Reviewed by Steve Moffatt. Accessed April 19, 2022.
Nothing minor about Sydney Philharmonic Choirs’ Bach Mass. 3.5 stars. Reviewed by Peter McCallum. Accessed April 20, 2022.l
Video Credits:
Resources:
2022 Season Together Again. Sydney Philharmonia Choirs. Artistic & Music Director Brett Weymark, OAM
Bach B Minor Mass. Sydney Philharmonia Choirs. (Available on access, 23 March 8, 2022.)
TICKETS
Premium $112 | A $92 | B $71 | C $50
Concessions $101 | A $83| B $64 | C $45
A booking fee of $8.50 per transaction applies.
BOOK TICKETS HERE
COVID-19 SAFETY
- All SPC singers, musicians and staff are double vaccinated.
- Audiences will be required to show proof of double vaccination upon entry to the Sydney Town Hall.
- Audiences will be required to wear masks throughout the performance. If this changes we will inform patrons as soon as possible.
- Hand sanitiser will be available.
- A digital program book will be available on this page a week prior to the concert. A limited number of printed program books will be available for $5 each at the concert.
DETAILS ABOUT OUR COVID SAFE PLAN
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