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Mass in B Minor

Mass in B Minor
Photo: Johann Sebastian Bach · Public domain

About

Mass in B minor (BWV 232) is Johann Sebastian Bach's final large choral work, scored for five soloists, choir and Baroque orchestra and completed in 1749, a year before his death. The autograph manuscript, held at the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin, was inscribed on UNESCO's Memory of the World Register in 2015 as an outstanding testament to Bach's compositional mastery. The work was most likely never performed in its entirety during Bach's lifetime - the earliest documented complete performance dates from 1859 - yet today it ranks among the most frequently performed and recorded vocal works in classical music.

281+
known recordings worldwide
#1
UNESCO's Memory of the World register (manuscript recorded 2015)
99
pages in Bach's original manuscript (BWV 232)
27
movements in the complete work

What's new

  • 2026-11

    Copenhagen Soloists perform the B minor Mass in Holmens Church, Copenhagen and Sct. Mariæ Church, Helsingør in November 2026 as part of the ensemble's 20th anniversary.

  • 2026-03

    Trinitatis Kantori, Trinitatis Solistensemble and Trinitatis Barokorkester performed the Mass in Copenhagen and Sorø Monastery Church in March 2026.

  • 2025-12

    Netherlands Bach Society performs the B minor Mass in December 2025 under the direction of Richard Egarr.

  • 2025-04

    Akademisk Orkester og Kor performed the Mass in the Conservatory Concert Hall, Copenhagen and Sct. Bendts Church, Ringsted in spring 2025.

  • 2025-04

    Ensemble Pygmalion under Raphaël Pichon released a new recording of the B minor Mass on Spotify in April 2025.

Tour

KøbenhavnHelsingørRingstedSorø

Tracks

Kyrie eleison IOpening movement - five-part choir, one of the most famous entrances in Baroque music
Gloria in excelsis DeoFestive choral introduction to the Gloria section
CrucifixusDeeply moving choral passage over an ostinato bass, often highlighted as a climax
Et resurrexitExplosive choral jubilation - striking contrast to Crucifixus
Dona nobis pacemConcluding choral fugue - reuses the Gratias movement and ends the work with a prayer for peace

Upcoming · 2

Where they play · 1

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