Sir John Eliot Gardiner

Programme

Ludwig van Beethoven
Missa solemnis in D major, op. 123

Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Conductor

Lucy Crowe, Soprano

Gerhild Romberger, Alto

Julian Prégardien, Tenor

Tareq Nazmi, Bass

Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks

Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks

about the programme

“From the heart, may it again go to the heart.” Thus Beethoven wrote at the head of the Kyrie in his Missa solemnis. Shortly before completing the work he called it the greatest he had ever written. This monumental yet enigmatic masterpiece of sacred music is less a strictly liturgical composition than a vehicle for kindling authentic religious feelings in the listeners. His Mass thus bespeaks a thoroughly Enlightenment view of religion; it also reveals a sense of drama, as when the final plea for peace, “Dona nobis pacem”, is preceded by vivid scenes of war. In John Eliot Gardiner a conductor steps up to the BRSO rostrum who has often plunged into the gigantic cosmos of the Missa solemnis in concerts and recordings, probing the field of tension between faith and emotionalism that goes directly to the heart.

Concert introduction at 6.45 pm with the First Concertmaster of the BRSO Radoslaw Szulc
Moderation: Renate Ulm

SIR JOHN ELIOT GARDINER ON Beethoven’s MISSA SOLEMNIS

Actually, Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis was scheduled for the beginning of April 2020. However, the concerts could not take place due to pandemic.
At that time, Sir John Eliot Gardiner sent us this video message.

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Concert Photos

Sir John Eliot Gardiner

impressions from the rehearsals

Sir John Eliot Gardiner

Vocal soloists: Gerhild Romberger and Julian Prégardien

Tareq Nazmi - Bass

Bavarian Radio Chorus

Sir John Eliot Gardiner

Gerhild Romberger - Mezzosoprano