The American Classical Orchestra will perform Bach’s infamous B Minor Mass at the Alice Tully Hall with the Aco Chorus on March 7.
Mass in B Minor, BWV 232 by Johann Sebastian Bach is a musical setting of the complete Latin Mass, the 1749 work includes nine arias and duets, 14 ensemble sections for vocal groups of various sizes, and a range of instrumental solos in numerous styles. The piece is one of Bach’s best-loved vocal works, the B Minor Mass is widely considered to be the crowning achievement of the Baroque era, since he completed it a year before his death in 1750.
The composition as it is known today did not originate as a titled whole in any of Bach’s surviving documents. It was uncovered by his son C.P. E. Bach as a collection of his father’s hand-written scores grouped together inside four folders. The manuscripts were organized in four parts: The Kyrie and Gloria, followed by the Credo, the Sanctus, and Agnus Dei. Once published, the four parts became known as the B Minor Mass. Of note, Bach managed to complete the Mass while nearly blinded by cataracts. He subsequently underwent two unsuccessful eye surgeries using questionable methods, which worsened his condition.
The performance will be directed by the founder and Artistic Director Thomas Crawford who founded two other Connecticut orchestras: the Fairfield Orchestra and the Orchestra of the Old Fairfield Academy, the period instrument offshoot of the Fairfield Orchestra, was later renamed the American Classical Orchestra in 1999. With the Fairfield Orchestra, Crawford conducted the world premiere of Keith Jarrett’s Bridge of Light at Alice Tully Hall, subsequently recorded on the ECM label.
Featured soloists are soprano and crossover artist Kristen Hahn, who recently appeared at the Kennedy Center in Hello Dolly, soprano Nola Richardson, hailed by The NY Times for her “beautiful tone;” countertenor Reginald Mobley, who has forged a stellar career across Baroque and Classical repertoire; noted Bach interpreter tenor Steven Soph, who was praised for his “impressive clarity and color” by the NY Times and Baroque music specialist bass Steven Eddy, a 1st Prize winner of the 2019 Oratorio Society of New York Competition.
Thomas Crawford will lead the American Classical Orchestra (ACO) in a performance of Bach’s monumental B Minor Mass with the acclaimed ACO Chorus at Alice Tully Hall on March 7 and the fans can find tickets at www.aconyc.org, or by calling ACO at (212) 362-2727, ext.4, or by visiting lincolncenter.org or calling CenterCharge at 212.721.6500.
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