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Phil

Mass in B minor

Sublime, outsized, all-embracing. Only superlatives will suffice to describe Bach’s Mass in B minor. At the end of his life, Bach brought his best and most beautiful pieces together in a single Mass. That was how Bach wanted to be remembered, and the Mass in B minor is his musical testament. Sublime, outsized, all-embracing“In between the awe-inspiring ‘Kyrie’ and the jubilant ‘Dona nobis pacem’ come nine totally unique arias and duets, fourteen impressive choral sections and a broad range of instrumental solos. The British conductor Richard Egarr is leading the ensemble on this Christmas tour. Egarr says, “Some musical compositions are simply greater than any performance can realise: Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis and Bach’s Mass in B minor are two such examples. These transcendental masterpieces were deliberately created as messages of hope for posterity, and as a challenge for us to attain the same artistic heights. It’s always a supremely humbling joy to make that journey with Bach in this sublime creation.”