Beethoven Messe C-Dur (Marris Janson) (CD, Br-Klassik)

The C major Mass, the first of Beethoven’s two mass settings, appears extremely modern and forward-looking in its subjective, confessional tonal language and opens up completely new worlds of expression for the liturgical text. It is by no means to be understood as a preliminary stage to the Missa solemnis, but a very independent work that set standards for the further development of mass composition in the 19th century. The composer himself was aware of its novelty: I do not like to say anything about my mass or about myself in general, but I believe that I have treated the text in a way that it has been rarely treated, so Beethoven said. The Mass in C major op. 86 from 1807 opened up a hitherto unknown, contemporary approach to faith that has remained relevant to this day. The important work from the history of sacred music offers at the same time an intimate and beautifully sounding confessional music. Beethoven’s C major Mass was recorded at two concerts that took place exactly one year ago on January 11 and 12, 2018 in the Philharmonie im Gasteig in Munich. The top-class cast consists of Genia Kühmeier (soprano), Gerhild Romberger (alto), Maximilian Schmitt (tenor) and Luca Pisaroni (bass-baritone), the Bavarian Radio Choir and Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Mariss Jansons. These concerts took place on the occasion of the 75th birthday of the chief conductor of the BR Symphony Orchestra. The BR Klassik CD is complemented by a recording of Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 3 in a live recording from the Herkulessaal of the Munich Residence on 29/30. January 2004.