Review
In 1733, Bach wrote a letter petitioning Friedrich August II, the Catholic Elector of Saxony, to grant him a courtly title that might be of value to him in getting his due respect from the powers in Leipzig. To warm up the sovereign to his cause, he enclosed two pieces of music as special proof of his dedication to the composition of church music; these pieces were the Kyrie and Gloria of the Mass in B minor, a juggernaut of religious music that Bach didn't complete until the very end of his life. Why a composer who must have normally worked at blinding speed took 15 years with a single mass is not known, since there was no opportunity for its performance. As a mass, it's far too vast for liturgical use, and earnest religious music couldn't have been welcomed in secular, courtly programs. It definitely wasn't entirely performed while Bach lived, but it seems possible he didn't intend it to be performed that way at all. Many movements are highly effective revisions of past works, often cantatas, spanning much of his career, and the others were composed expressly for the mass. These facts, and the wide differences in style the work contains, suggest it was intended as a summation of his whole oeuvre, but that can never be known.
Of course, the mystery of its purpose and origins have fed the fire of enthusiasm that surrounds the mass. For once, the hype is mostly worth believing. Commentators stumble over each other to praise it, treating it like a St. Peter's of music for good reasons; the Mass in B minor positively crackles with energy, and almost everything that is good about Bach is found in it. Hearing even the brooding Kyrie for the first time can be like having of a pair of jumper cables applied to the heart. Unfortunately, the size, scale, and historical importance of the mass, taken together, seems to confuse certain interpreters into performing it with the overblown orchestral forces and exaggerated expression of late Romantic music. It becomes an overstated banality when treated that way; smaller orchestras can bring out of it an amazing, galvanized lyricism and mechanical power. The range and depth of moods is itself incredible enough; listeners almost prefer to hear the movements discretely to be able to properly take them in. From the most ecstatic, trumpeting orchestral jubilation of the start of the Gloria, to the tender, pained longing in the soprano and tenor duet of the
Laudamus te, or the unstoppable fugue of the
Cum sancto Spiritu, the Mass in B minor is as exhilarating to the listeners as it is exhausting to performers. Some lighter, simpler choral movements, like the
Gratias agimus tibi, have a minor function of granting needed rest, but there don't seem to be quite enough of them to make it really functional as a concert piece. For the highly trainable medium of the compact disc, however, it's just right. ~ Donato Mancini, All Music Guide
Albums with Complete Performances of the Work
20 Great Bach & Handel Choruses
Bach 2000 Light: The Complete Bach Edition (without Sacred Cantatas) (includes Commemorative Book) (Box Set) 1999
Bach 2000: The Complete Bach Edition (Includes Commemorative Book) (Box Set) 1999
Bach Edition: Complete Works [Box Set] 2006
Bach Edition: Vol. 5 [Box Set]
Bach Tenor Arias with Flute 1994
Bach: B Minor Mass 1999
Bach: B Minor Mass; St. Matthew Passion; St. John Passion; Christmas Oratorio [Box Set] 2004
Bach: Choral Works 1995
Bach: Choruses 1985
Bach: H-Moll Messe
Bach: H-Moll-Messe 2009
Bach: Mass In B Minor
Bach: Mass In B Minor
Bach: Mass In B Minor BWV 232 1993
Bach: Mass in B Minor 1996
Bach: Mass in B Minor 1994
Bach: Mass in B Minor 1994
Bach: Mass in B Minor [Hybrid SACD]
Bach: Mass in B minor 2008
Bach: Mass in B minor
Bach: Mass in B minor 1990
Bach: Mass in B minor 1982
Bach: Mass in B minor 1993
Bach: Mass in B minor 1996
Bach: Mass in B minor 1994
Bach: Mass in B minor 1994
Bach: Mass in B minor
Bach: Mass in B minor 1991
Bach: Mass in B minor
Bach: Mass in B minor 1994
Bach: Mass in B minor 1992
Bach: Mass in B minor 2000
Bach: Mass in B minor
Bach: Mass in B minor 1998
Bach: Mass in B minor 1998
Bach: Mass in B minor 1996
Bach: Mass in B minor 1992
Bach: Mass in B minor 1994
Bach: Mass in B minor 2001
Bach: Mass in B minor
Bach: Mass in B minor 2002
Bach: Mass in B minor 1999
Bach: Mass in B minor 2002
Bach: Mass in B minor 1994
Bach: Mass in B minor 1995
Bach: Mass in B minor 1992
Bach: Mass in B minor 1992
Bach: Mass in B minor 1998
Bach: Mass in B minor 2003
Bach: Mass in B minor
Bach: Mass in B minor 1990
Bach: Mass in B minor
Bach: Mass in B minor 1998
Bach: Mass in B minor 2005
Bach: Mass in B minor 2005
Bach: Mass in B minor 2005
Bach: Mass in B minor
Bach: Mass in B minor 1998
Bach: Mass in B minor 2006
Bach: Mass in B minor
Bach: Mass in B minor
Bach: Mass in B minor 2004
Bach: Mass in B minor
Bach: Mass in B minor
Bach: Mass in B minor (Highlights) 1995
Bach: Mass in B minor [DVD Audio] 2005
Bach: Mass in B minor [Hybrid SACD] 2005
Bach: Mass in B minor [Hybrid SACD] 2005
Bach: Mass in B minor [Hybrid SACD] 2007
Bach: Mass in B minor [SACD] 2007
Bach: Mass in B minor, BWV 232 1999
Bach: Mass in B minor, BWV 232 1994
Bach: Mass in B minor, BWV 232 1997
Bach: Mass in B minor, BWV 232 [Highlights] 2003
Bach: Mass in B minor; Magnificat
Bach: Mass in B minor; Magnificat, BWV 243 2000
Bach: Mass in B minor; Mass in F 1993
Bach: Mass in Bm
Bach: Mass in Bm
Bach: Mass in Bm
Bach: Mass in b-Moll 2003
Bach: Mass, Oratorios and Passions [Box Set] 2008
Bach: Messa in Si minore; Hochzeitscantate
Bach: Messe In H-Moll 1994
Bach: Messe In H-Moll 1994
Bach: Messe en si mineur 1995
Bach: Messe en si mineur
Bach: Messe h-Moll 1994
Bach: Messe in H-moll BWV 232 1997
Bach: Messe in Si mineur [Hybrid SACD] 2008
Bach: Oratorio de Noël; Oratorio de Pâques; Oratorio de l'Anscension; Messe en si mineur [Box Set] 2006
Bach: Sacred Masterpieces 1985
Bach: Sacred Masterworks 2001
Bach: Sacred Masterworks
Bach: Sacred Vocal Works 1999
Bach: Sacred Vocal Works [Box Set] 2002
Bach: St. John Passion; Mass in B Minor; Easter Oratorio; Ascension Oratorio [Box Set] 2002
Bach: St. Matthew Passion; Mass in B minor 2001
Bach: Vocal Works
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi: 50 Years (1958-2008) [Box Set] 2008
Handel, Bach: Sacred Arias
J. S. Bach: H-Moll-Messe
J. S. Bach: Mass in B Minor 1989
J. S. Bach: Mass in B minor
J.S. Bach: Mass in B minor 2003
J.S. Bach: Mass in B minor 2005
JS Bach: Die Großen Geistlichen Werke [Box Set] 2008
Johann Sebastian Bach: messe in h-Moll BWV 232 2006
L'Adagio d'Albinoni 1970
Léopold Simoneau & Pierrette Alarie, Vol. 1
Mass In B Minor
Sanctus: 1000 Years of Sacred Music (Box Set)
Sunday Morning Classics 2000
The Complete Bach Recordings, 1927-1939
The Complete EMI Recordings 1946-1984, Vol. 2: Opera & Vocal 2008
Albums with Excerpt Performances of the Work
100 Best Baroque 2006
100 Best Sacred Works 2007
100 Heavenly Classics 1999
1000 Years of Sacred Music [Box Set] 2002
25 Bach Favorites 1996
25 Favoritas en Coro Sagrado 2001
25 Sacred Choral Favorites 2001
40 Years of Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 1999
50 Years of Vox 1995
500 Classic Masterpieces [Box Set] 1992
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God 2007
A Tribute 2003
A Tribute to Eugen Jochum 1997
Adagios (Box Set) 2000
Adventures in Early Music 1997
Agnus Dei 1999
Allegri: Miserere and other Choral Masterpieces 1993
Altus: From Castrato to Countertenor 2008
An Introduction to the Works of Johann Sebastian Bach 1999
Andreas Scholl: The Voice
Angels of Ecstasy 1999
Aria: The Finest Sacred & Secular Arias from 1600 to 1800 2004
Ave Maria
Ave Maria: Famous Arias & Choruses 1998
Bach 2009
Bach 100 Best
Bach 2000 2001
Bach 2000 Light: The Complete Bach Edition (without Sacred Cantatas) (includes Commemorative Book) (Box Set) 1999
Bach 2000: An Introduction to the Complete Bach Edition 1999
Bach Arias [SACD] 2002
Bach Coltrane 2007
Bach Edition Introduction: Highlights from the Bach Edition 1999
Bach Edition: Complete Works [Box Set]
Bach Edition: Mass in B Minor, BWV 232 Part 1
Bach Edition: Mass in B Minor, BWV 232 Part 2
Bach Edition: Mass in B minor BWV 232 Part 1
Bach Edition: Mass in B minor BWV 232 Part 2
Bach Edition: Vocal Works [Box Set]
Bach Hits Back 1994
Bach Hits Back/A Cappella Amadeus 1998
Bach Trumpet Gala, Vol. 2 1993
Bach for Beginners
Bach's Adagios 1998
Bach's Greatest Hits 1996
Bach, Mozart: Sacred Arias 1995
Bach-Beispiele 2000
Bach: 250 Year Celebration (Box Set) 2000
Bach: Arias 2002
Bach: Arias & Duets 2003
Bach: Arias and Oboe d'Amore 1999
Bach: B Minor Mass 1994
Bach: Cantata No. 170; Cantata No. 54; Handel: Airs from Jeptha, Theodora & Orlando 1997
Bach: Famous Choruses 1995
Bach: Magnificat; Vocal Works 2000
Bach: Mass in B minor (Extraits) 1999
Bach: Mass in B minor (Highlights) 2000
Bach: Purification Mass 2009
Bach: Sacred Arias & Cantatas 2008
Bach: Sacred Vocal Works 2000
Bach: Soli Deo Gloria - Meisterwerken in bedeutenden Aufnahmen (Box Set) 2000
Bach: The Essentials 2009
Bach: Works for Trumpet 2005
Baroque Trumpet Concertos 1996
Benedictus 1999
Best Adagio Voices 100 2009
Best Bach 100 2006
Best Karajan 100 2008
Cathedral Voices 2004
Celebrating Jesus Christ in Story & Music [includes DVD] 2005
Celestial Christmas
Celestial Christmas: A Special Collection of Seasonal Music 1989
Choral Jems 1997
Choral Masterpieces 1985
Choruses from Bach's Mass in B Minor 1999
Christmas in Leipzig 1988
Christmas with Robert Shaw 2008
Cinema Classics, Vol. 10 1995
Classic Collection Johann Sebastian Bach 2000
Classic FM presents Voices
Classical Bytes Bach
Classical Masters (Box Set) 1999
Classical Masters: Bach 1999
Classical Music For People Who Hate Classical Music 2005
Classics Bach Weekend 1990
Classicworks: Classical Greats 2000
Complete Classical Collection (Box Set) 2004
Denn er hat seine Engeln befohlen
Die Himmel Rühmen
Die Schönsten Chöre
Die Virtuose Bach-Trompete 1994
Early Escapes 2002
Edward C. Bairstow, Recorded 1926-1945 1996
Elements: Waterfall Suite [CD/DVD] 2005
Elisabeth Schwarzkopf 1915-2006 [Box Set] 2006
Essential Bach 2009
Essential Choral Classics 2006
Experiencing Choral Music: Teacher Resource Binder & Sight-Singing 2005
Festspieldokumente 2000: Bach-Beispiele
Fischer-Dieskau Edition (Box Set) 2000
From Authentic to Outrageous Bach 1996
Geistliche Arien (Sacred Arias)
Georges Moineau: Messe solennelle de saint Remi; Le Baptême de Clovis 1998
Gloria 2004
Gloria in Excelsis 1994
Gloria: Classical Music for Reflection and Meditation 1999
Gloria: Music of Praise & Inspiration 1998
Gospel According to St. Matthew 1997
Grammy Champion 1992
Gramophone Collectors' Edition CD No. 8: The Real Wagner 2007
Gramophone Collectors' Edition CD No. 9: The Real Puccini 2007
Great Choral Classics 2001
Greatest Hits: The Chorus 1996
Guitar Adagios 2004
HGTV: Quiet Places 2006
HGTV: The Art of Living [Box Set] 2006
Halleluja 2: The Most Favourite Vocal Pieces 2007
Halleluja: Beliebte Chöre
Hallelujah! - Great Choruses
Handel & J. S. Bach: Arias 2001
Herbert von Karajan & Elisabeth Schwarzkopf Recordings 2006
Hermann Max conducts Rheinische Kantorei & Das Kleine Konzert
Historical Recordings, 1947-1952
How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci 2000
Hymn for the World, Vol. 2 1998
Ich war ein Berliner 2006
Inspired Bach: Music to Enhance Your Spirit 2001
Inspired Joy: Music to Enhance Your Spirit 2001
Introspection 1985
J.S. Bach: Arias 2000
J.S. Bach: Favourite Arias and Choruses 1995
J.S. Bach: Great Choruses 2000
J.S. Bach: Mass in B minor [Promo] 2007
Jesus 1999
Kathleen Ferrier Edition [Box Set] 1992
Kathleen Ferrier Sings Bach; Handel
Kathleen Ferrier [Box Set] 2004
Kathleen Ferrier sings Bach, Handel
Klever Kaff
L'Allemagne du Baroque tardif / Late Baroque Germany 2005
Lambarena - Bach to Africa 2009
Lambarena-Bach to Africa 1995
Lebendige Vergangenheit: Friedrich Schorr II
Les Choeurs des Cathédrales 1995
Mad About Bach 1993
Mass: The Most Powerful, Uplifting & Passionate Music You Will Ever Hear 2000
Maureen Forrester: Bach Cantatas & Scarlatti Salve Regina 2000
Missa
Monteverdi: L'Orfeo 2006
More Tears from Heaven 1999
Music for Your Garden, Vol. 1 2001
Music of the Majesty of Jesus Christ 2004
New Approach to J. S. Bach 1998
Nikolaus Harnoncourt & Concentus Musicus Wien play Mozart, Handel, Bach, Etc.
Northwest Chamber Chorus Live! 40th Anniversary Edition 2007
Oracle's Destiny 1982
Orchestral Excerpts For Horn 1993
Orchestral Excerpts for Flute 1996
Peter Schreier's Legendary Recordings [Box Set] 2005
Peter Schreier: Boy Alto of the Dresden Kreuzchor 1995
Peter Schreier: Vom Knabenalt Zum Lyrischen Tenor (From Boy Alto To Lyric Tenor) 1995
Portrait
Pure Classical Christmas 2006
Quiet Time Classics (Box Set) 2004
Robert Shaw Conducts Bach, Brahms, Hindemith
Sacred Classics 2003
Sacred Music Highlights
Sanctus 1999
Sanctus: Baroque Music For The Nativity 1996
Schwarzkopf Edition [Box Set]
Shapes 2004
Sing unto the Lord 1991
Sounds Sublime 2009
Spiritus - At Heaven's Gate 1998
Sunday Morning Classics, Vol. 1
Super Artists on Super Audio, Vol. 5 [Hybrid SACD] 2008
The #1 Choral Album 2002
The Artistry of Philippe Herreweghe 1999
The Bach Album 1992
The Best Bach 2007
The Best Bach [Best Buy Exclusive] 2005
The Best Meditiation: Eternal Light 2005
The Best of Bach 1998
The Brook and the Wellspring 1999
The Classic 100 [Box Set] 2008
The Classic 100, Vol. 1 2008
The Complete EMI Recordings 1946-1984, Vol. 2: Opera & Vocal 2008
The Great Classics: The Best of Bach
The Greatest Choral Show on Earth 1999
The Harmonia Mundi Bach Edition
The Heavens Are Sounding (Favorite Choruses)
The Instruments of the Orchestra [Box Set] 2002
The King's Consort Baroque Collection 1997
The Legend of Sacred Music 2008
The Life and Works of Johann Sebastian Bach 2002
The Only Bach Album You Will Ever Need 2006
The Power & The Majesty: Essential Choral Classics 1995
The Real Great Composers: The Real Vaughan Williams 2008
The Record of Singing, Vol. 4 1991
The Record of Singing, Vol. 4: From 1939 to the End of the 78 Era [Box Set] 1991
The Record of Singing, Vol. 5 2009
The Story of Bach 1993
The Universe of Bach (Box Set) 2000
The Universe of Bach, Vol. 2 2000
The Very Best of Bach 2005
The Very Best of Brigitte Fassbaender 2005
The Very Best of Classical Music for Your Life (Box Set) 2004
The Voice
The Voice of the Chorus 2003
The Wonderful World of Classical Music (Box Set)
The World Of Bach 1990
Trumpet Playing Festival
Trésors de la Musique Sacrée 1998
Two Thousand Years 1999
Unpublished Recordings
Very Best of Classical: Composers 2003
Very Best of Classical: Greatest Hits 2003
Virtuosity: Il baritono barocco 2007
Voices of the Soul 2006
Voices to Heaven 1998
Voices: A Compilation of the World's Greatest Choirs
Wagner's Ring
While Angels Sing
World of the Castrati 1995
