Southwell Festival Voices
Southwell Festival Sinfonia
Libby Burgess continuo
Marcus Farnsworth director
Bach Mass in B minor
The Mass in B minor is the summation of its composer’s work, the ultimate expression of his faith, and one of the supreme creations of western classical music. This monumental setting of the Ordinary of the Catholic Mass reached its final form towards the end of Bach’s life: in it he reworks earlier compositions and draws on many musical styles, old and new.
The Mass is also remarkable in being a Catholic Mass written by a Lutheran composer: in a work of infinite variety Bach combines the glory of the former with the austerity of the latter to create a work of profound spiritual and emotional impact. In this chamber performance on period instruments the solo and chorus parts will be sung by nine members of the Festival Voices and Artistic Director Marcus Farnsworth.
