Corpus Christi Watershed

Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

Views from the Choir Loft

Bach Mass In B Minor • Robert Shaw, 1947

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733 Bach Shaw OT ALL sacred music is appropriate for use during the liturgy. For example, some pieces are too long (cf. Pius X Tra le Sollecitudini, §23) or too theatrical (idem §6). Examples would include Beethoven’s Missa solemnis, Mozart’s Requiem, Verdi’s Requiem, and Bach’s Mass in B Minor. Even though it cannot be used during the liturgy 1 it remains glorious music.

For me, one of the greatest masterpieces ever written is Bach’s Mass in B Minor. My favorite recording, in spite of a few minor flaws, has always been the 1947 version conducted by Robert Shaw. (see below)

I cannot convey to you how highly I value this music and how much joy it has brought me through the years, so I won’t even try.

The following mp3 files are courtesy of archive.org. Enjoy!

KYRIE

01 Kyrie eleison (Chorus)

02 Christe eleison (Duet: Sopranos I and II)

03 Kyrie eleison (Chorus)

GLORIA

04 Gloria in excelsis Deo (Chorus)

05 Laudamus Te (Aria: Soprano II with Violin obbligato)

06 Gratias agimus (Chorus)

07 Domine Deus (Duet: Soprano I and Tenor)

08 Qui tollis pecata mundi (Chorus)

09 Qui sedes ad dexteram (Aria: Alto with Oboe d’amore obbligato)

10 Quoniam tu solus sanctus (Aria: Bass with Corno da caccia obbligato)

11 Cum sancto spiritu (Chorus)

CREDO

12 Credo in unum Deum (Chorus)

13 Patrem omnipotentem (Chorus)

14 Et in unum Deum (Duet: Soprano and Alto)

15 Et incarnatus est (Chorus)

16 Crucifixus (Chorus)

17 Et resurrexit (Chorus)

18 Et in spiritum sanctum (Aria: Bass with Oboi d’amore obbligati)

19 Confiteor (Chorus)

SANCTUS

20 Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus (Chorus)

21 Osanna in excelsis (Chorus)

22 Benedictus (Aria: Tenor with Violin obbligato)

AGNUS

23 Agnus Dei (Aria: Alto with Violin obbligato)

24 Dona nobis pacem (Chorus)


J. S. BACH: Mass in B minor, BWV 232

Anne McKnight, soprano I
June Gardner, soporano II
Lydia Summers, contralto
Lucius Metz, tenor
Paul Matthen, bass

RCA Victor Chorale and Orchestra
Robert Shaw, Conductor
Recorded in 1947




NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   Bach’s Mass in B Minor was probably never intended for use during an actual Catholic liturgy. If this seems strange, consider the cultural importance of the Catholic Mass going back 1600+ years. Even during the 20th century, non-Catholics like Igor Stravinsky composed Masses.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

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