Cantata Singers to Perform at New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall, 3/20

Cantata Singers presents Mozart's iconic, unfinished C Minor Mass, alongside Beethoven's Elegiac Song and Haydn's Symphony No. 86 in D on Friday, March 20th, 2015 at 8:00pm at New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall, conducted by David Hoose, Music Director.

Mozart's masterful C Minor Mass is one of his two great sacred works-and both happen to be incomplete. His Requiem remained unfinished for obvious reasons, as Mozart passed away before the work's completion. However, the explanation why the C Minor Mass was never finished remains a mystery. Also known as the Great Mass in C Minor, it premiered during Mozart's lifetime in 1783 (with his new wife Constanza singing the "Et incarnatus est") despite its unfinished state. Over time the work has become a staple in choral repertoire. The Mass is notable for its rich and varied instrumentation and choral writing. Possessing simultaneous power and beauty, the C Minor Mass was unique in its time for its magnificent choruses, sensuous solo movements, and large ensemble.

This will be Cantata Singers' first performance of the C Minor Mass in 16 years. Paired with Mozart's masterpiece is Beethoven's brief and tender Elegiac Song-a musical gem often overlooked among Beethoven's grander works-and Haydn's sumptuous Symphony No. 86.

Despite its brevity (the piece is just seven minutes), Beethoven's Elegiac Song is rife with surprises, and possesses a remarkable variety of dynamics, rhythm, and harmony. Originally scored for four soloists and string quartet, Cantata Singers will perform the Elegiac Song with SATB chorus and string orchestra.

Haydn's Symphony 86 is the 5th of 6 "Paris" symphonies, and was composed at the peak of his fame. The "Paris" symphonies are all wonderful examples of Classical symphonic form-and Symphony 86-complete with percussion and trumpets-shines in particular. Perhaps Mozart's orchestral writing for the C Minor Mass foreshadows these elements of the Haydn symphonies.

A singular desire to bring to Boston's listeners music that isn't being heard anywhere else has inspired Cantata Singers' programming for 51 years.

In 1964, that music included the cantatas of J.S. Bach. Today, it may be hard for us to believe, but when Cantata Singers was founded in 1964, live performances of Bach cantatas were quite a rarity. In fact, Cantata Singers' early concerts featured the first Boston performances of many of the cantatas.

Bach's music, from the cantatas to the B-minor Mass to the Passions, remains an essential part of Cantata Singers' repertoire. However, the ensemble's repertoire has expanded to include music from the 17th century to today. Cantata Singers has commissioned 14 works for choir and orchestra-including one that was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in Music-and has presented more than fifty Boston premieres of music both old and new.

Many of Boston's most talented musicians perform regularly with Cantata Singers. The chorus is made up of singers who have careers as musicians, educators, doctors, and architects. Many of these members appear as soloists with Cantata Singers, as well as with other highly respected organizations; some conduct other choruses and orchestras in the area. Although many of our musicians perform actively as solo singers, they choose to sing with Cantata Singers because of the reward they find in performing music of the choral canon at the highest possible level.

Cantata Singers has always focused on the music-be it by Bach, Verdi, Harbison, or Pärt-and its audiences do too. Our audiences return year after year to hear fresh visions of iconic music, or an intriguing unfamiliar work that is-in fact-quite approachable. Each Cantata Singers concert is often surprising, sometimes challenging, always beautiful, and ultimately inspiring.

Photo Credit: James Luo