Bach Mass In B Minor

J.S. Bach’s most celebrated work, the Mass in B Minor will be presented by CBS Music in the Catholic Pro-Cathedral on Sunday June 9, 2024, at 1.30 pm. Admission will be by programme, $30 and $25, available (with Eftpos) at the door.

The Mass is a summation of Bach’s genius and gives examples of every possible style and technique of music. There is a remarkable variety of musical forms, solos for many different instruments, and a wide emotional range of expression. The complete work evolved from a setting of the Sanctus for Christmas Day, 1724, towards a present for the Dresden Court in 1733 of the Kyrie and Gloria, and a final completion of the missing sections of a Catholic Mass in the last two years of his life.

It is believed that Bach, although a practising Lutheran, wished to provide for posterity the finest example possible of the Catholic Mass as an art form, and that he was assembling a work to dedicate the new court chapel in Dresden: the Hofkirche. The CBS choir and orchestra were privileged to sing excerpts from the Mass both there and over Bach’s grave in the Thomaskirche on their first European tour, 1990.

In preparation for this concert, the newly established Cathedral Chorale has presented over the past two years a series of significant Bach cantatas. Soloists for the Christchurch performance will be Sue Densem, Louisa Pilkington, Margot Button, Wally Enright, and Matthew Harris. The Cathedral Orchestra leader is Natalia M. Lomeiko, with cellist Janet Cubey and organist Peter Low, and the musical director is Don Whelan.

CBS Music continues its popular Lunch Plus Wednesday At One recital series, with details of each weekly artist posted on the web. The annual Messiah will be presented at 1.30 pm on Sunday, 15 December, and the CBS musical year will conclude with Bruckner’s Mass in D Minor at the Christmas Midnight Mass.

The cathedral choir musicians maintain an extensive repertoire of masses and motets, sung each Sunday at the 11 a.m. Solemn Choral Mass. New members are welcome to the 7.30 pm Wednesday evening rehearsal at the Catholic Pro-Cathedral. Sight reading ability is expected. Those interested are invited to contact the CBS Musical Director, Don Whelan, phone 358-5873.