Bach Mass in B Minor

Stephen Layton CONDUCTOR

Sara MacIiver SOPRANO
Kate Spence ALTO

James Oxley TENOR
Jared Holt BASS

University of Auckland Chamber Choir, Director Karen Grylls

Bach’s B minor mass stands tall as one of western music’s great masterpieces. Written as a setting for the complete Latin Mass, the music transcends religion and speaks to us on the most emotional level of sadness, pain, joy and celebration in a journey that is awe inspiring in its breadth and depth.

 Click here to listen to a clip.

There is a debate about exactly when or why Bach composed all elements fo this inspiring work, but it is suggested that its four principal sections could have been performed separately in either Lutheran or Catholic services.  Whatever the circumstances of it composition, it is clear that this is one of the great liturgical creations.  From the intensity of the second 'Kyrie' to the joyous expression of the first part of the 'Gloria'; from the grace of the 'Benedictus' to the magnificence of the 'Credo', this is a work that speaks to us all of a spirituality beyond understanding.

Stephen Layton will conduct this magnificent work.  One of music's most admired choral conductors, Layton founded the choir Polyphony in 1986, while still a student at King's College, Cambridge.  Polyphony has since gone onto win numerous prizes, including several Gramophone awards for its recordings on Hyperion records.

Layton is also currently Director of Music at Trinity College, Cambridge and Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the City of London Sinfonia.

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