Missa solemnis
Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra / Kent Nagano
Performances of this colossal Mass, which Beethoven composed parallel to his famous Ninth Symphony, hold a strange and special attraction for today’s audiences. »Written from the heart – may it find its way to people’s hearts,« said the composer himself. Beethoven was convinced that the Missa solemnis was his »greatest work« and »the most successful of my spiritual endeavours«.
Many contemporary listeners, however, saw things differently, and thought, »the master may not have understood himself any more…« However, perhaps people were also irritated by the fact that Beethoven was pushing at boundaries here, in his aspiration to render life’s inexplicability comprehensible.
Performers
Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg
Rundfunkchor Berlin
Genia Kühmeier soprano
Tanja Ariane Baumgartner alto
Christian Elsner tenor
Tareq Nazmi bass
conductor Kent Nagano
Programme
Ludwig van Beethoven
Missa solemnis für Soli, Chor und Orchester D-Dur op. 123
Subscription
Philharmonic Concerts / Large Subscription
Philharmonic Concerts / »Even« Concerts