Theory is important when looking at masterpieces like Bach’s Mass in B minor – it can teach us many lessons and help us to understand the work more deeply. But ultimately, a work is judged based on how it makes its audience feel. There’s no doubt that Bach’s B minor Mass is a technical masterpiece, but it’s also undeniably emotionally evocative, and that is a big part of the reason why it’s still performed so often.
We asked our conductor, David Hill, to describe it without using any musical terminology. It’s no mean feat for someone who knows the piece so well! Watch how he got on below.
This is the work that started it all for The Bach Choir – we gave the UK premiere of the B minor Mass back in 1876. We’re returning to it on Tuesday 26 May at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall – to join the celebrations, book your tickets now.