J.Bach "GREAT MASS IN B MINOR"

Johann Sebastian Bach

GREAT MASS IN B MINOR

for Soloists, Choir and Orchestra, BWV 232

From the “Baroque Music Lounge” Concert Series

The Mass in B minor is one of the greatest creations of the music genius. Like many other Bach’s works, it is dedicated to Elector of Saxony Frederick Augustus III. Together with a petition to be given a court title, the composer attached to the letter the Kyrie and the Gloria, the first two parts of the Mass. There is no reliable information, whether it was performed in full during Bach’s lifetime, or was waiting in the wings until the 19th century.

The first public performance of the Mass took place in 1859 in Leipzig under the direction of Сarl Riedel. The Mass in B minor is one of the iconic works not only in Bach’s work, but also in the whole history of music.

The grandeur of this work is striking. Arias and ensembles of five soloists, choirs for four, five, six and eight voices, solos of violin, flutes, bassoons, oboe d’amore (in the movement “In Spiritum Sanctum”) and even the harpsichord and organ combine into a harmonious composition. A unique team of soloists, chorus and musicians of the Astana Opera Orchestra will stylistically perform as close as possible to baroque music and to the idea of the great creator Johann Sebastian Bach.

PERFORMED BY:

Soprano I – Alfiya Karimova, Honoured Artist of Bashkortostan

Soprano II – Aigul Niyazova, Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan

Contralto – Batyrzhan Smakov

Tenor – Narul Toikenov

Bass – Yermek Kassym

Chamber Choir and Orchestra of the Astana Opera House

Chief Chorus Master – Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Yerzhan Dautov

Conductor – Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan Abzal Mukhitdinov

 

Running time: 120 minutes