Orchestra, Choruses to Perform Beethoven's "Missa Solemnis" Oct. 28

A National Public Radio reporter once said “Missa Solemnis” by Ludwig van Beethoven “may be the greatest piece never heard.”  Beethoven wrote it as a traditional requiem church mass, but requiring a large chorus and soloist plus a full orchestra makes “Missa Solemnis” more of a concert hall piece.

So a concert hall it is, the Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall at Illinois State University with the music performed by the ISU Symphony Orchestra, the Concert Choir and Civic Chorale.  The production begins at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, with soloists soprano Michelle Vought, mezzo Karyl Carlson, tenor Chris Hollingsworth and bass John Koch.  Glenn Block is the conductor and Carlson is chorusmaster.

The performance is part of the School of Music Gold Series.  Tickets are $10 for the general public, $8 for faculty-staff and $7 for students and senior citizens.  Tickets are available at the CPA box office from noon to 5 p.m. weekdays and prior to the performance.  They also can be ordered by calling (309) 438-2535 or on line at ticketmaster.com

Beethoven began composing “Missa Solemnis” (solemn mass) in 1819 for the installation of his friend and benefactor Archduke Rudolph as Archbishop of Olmutz in Moravia.   The installation ceremony came and went without the Mass and in 1824 it was first performed in St. Petersburg.

The text of the mass is in five movements.  Beethoven said his purpose in writing the Mass was “to awaken and permanently instill religious feelings not only into the singers but also into the listeners.”