Masterworks at St. Paul's

Sunday May 19, 2024
5:00 PM

Annual spring concert featuring the St. Paul’s Choir with Orchestra. In celebration of its 200th anniversary, this year we conclude our season with Ludwig van Beethoven’s late masterwork - the epic “Missa Solemnis.”

Beethoven wrote this large-scale Mass setting for orchestra, choir, and soloists as a gift to his patron and friend Archduke Rudolph Rainier, who was being ordained as an Archbishop in 1820. Beethoven was at the full height of his creative powers at this point and held nothing back for this work. The ever-increasing scale of the project soon became apparent as Beethoven worked on the Mass for three additional years, with the first performance of the work finally taking place in the spring of 1824.

Written at the same time as his more famous Ninth Symphony, this work is often viewed as one Beethoven’s supreme achievements, cited as one of the great choral works alongside Bach’s "B-minor Mass” and Mozart’s “Requiem”. It is an incredible display of virtuosity for the choir, orchestra, and soloists alike and is rarely performed in its entirety. Join us for this exciting opportunity to experience thrilling music in a beautiful setting!

The Masterworks Concert is always a highlight of the Steeple Concert series, with soloists, full chorus featuring the choir of St. Paul’s Church and the community, and professional orchestra. The conductor is Mark Hyczko, Director of Music at St. Paul’s. The soloists are Lyssandra Stephenson, soprano; Martha Bartz, alto; Ronald Naldi, tenor; and Richard Zuch, bass.