Beethoven’s great mass was premiered 200 years ago. A complex and mysterious work – all the more reason to listen carefully! Bennet Eicke, conductor and musicologist, shows us the details of the »Missa« and guides us through Beethoven’s sonorous confession of faith with his favourite moments. For all those who want to prepare for the concert at the Beethovenfest – or simply get to know the anniversary work in depth.
The audio samples are from the rights-free recording with Arturo Toscanini, the Robert Shaw Chorale and the NBC Symphony Orchestra from 1953. The concert at Beethovenfest with Early music ensemble B’Rock and René Jacobs will certainly have a different, much leaner sound – the performance tradition of Beethoven’s music changes over time.