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Views from the Choir Loft

Bach Mass In B Minor • Robert Shaw, 1947

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733 Bach Shaw OT ALL sacred music is appropriate for use during the liturgy. For example, some pieces are too long (cf. Pius X Tra le Sollecitudini, §23) or too theatrical (idem §6). Examples would include Beethoven’s Missa solemnis, Mozart’s Requiem, Verdi’s Requiem, and Bach’s Mass in B Minor. Even though it cannot be used during the liturgy 1 it remains glorious music.

For me, one of the greatest masterpieces ever written is Bach’s Mass in B Minor. My favorite recording, in spite of a few minor flaws, has always been the 1947 version conducted by Robert Shaw. (see below)

I cannot convey to you how highly I value this music and how much joy it has brought me through the years, so I won’t even try.

The following mp3 files are courtesy of archive.org. Enjoy!

KYRIE

01 Kyrie eleison (Chorus)

02 Christe eleison (Duet: Sopranos I and II)

03 Kyrie eleison (Chorus)

GLORIA

04 Gloria in excelsis Deo (Chorus)

05 Laudamus Te (Aria: Soprano II with Violin obbligato)

06 Gratias agimus (Chorus)

07 Domine Deus (Duet: Soprano I and Tenor)

08 Qui tollis pecata mundi (Chorus)

09 Qui sedes ad dexteram (Aria: Alto with Oboe d’amore obbligato)

10 Quoniam tu solus sanctus (Aria: Bass with Corno da caccia obbligato)

11 Cum sancto spiritu (Chorus)

CREDO

12 Credo in unum Deum (Chorus)

13 Patrem omnipotentem (Chorus)

14 Et in unum Deum (Duet: Soprano and Alto)

15 Et incarnatus est (Chorus)

16 Crucifixus (Chorus)

17 Et resurrexit (Chorus)

18 Et in spiritum sanctum (Aria: Bass with Oboi d’amore obbligati)

19 Confiteor (Chorus)

SANCTUS

20 Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus (Chorus)

21 Osanna in excelsis (Chorus)

22 Benedictus (Aria: Tenor with Violin obbligato)

AGNUS

23 Agnus Dei (Aria: Alto with Violin obbligato)

24 Dona nobis pacem (Chorus)


J. S. BACH: Mass in B minor, BWV 232

Anne McKnight, soprano I
June Gardner, soporano II
Lydia Summers, contralto
Lucius Metz, tenor
Paul Matthen, bass

RCA Victor Chorale and Orchestra
Robert Shaw, Conductor
Recorded in 1947




NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   Bach’s Mass in B Minor was probably never intended for use during an actual Catholic liturgy. If this seems strange, consider the cultural importance of the Catholic Mass going back 1600+ years. Even during the 20th century, non-Catholics like Igor Stravinsky composed Masses.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

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Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.