Mozart's Great Mass in C minor

Pygmalion celebrates 20 years of impactful music-making in the highest echelons of period performance with Mozart’s glorious Great Mass in C minor and more.

In 1782, Mozart took his new wife Constanze home to meet his father. What better way to seek his approval than to write a setting of the Mass, with its angelic soprano solos performed by Constanze herself? Tonight soprano Sabine Devieilhe follows in her footsteps, one of a quartet of first-rate soloists.

Pygmalion and their conductor Raphaël Pichon are renowned for their intelligent and creative programming. Tonight they preface Mozart’s masterpiece with music by a select handful of composers who, like Mozart, studied and embraced Baroque traditions and techniques. From Schubert’s intricate counterpoint for four-part women’s choir to the calm, prayerful harmonies of Bruckner, hear how each new generation takes the sounds of the past and weaves them into new music that’s somehow both fresh and familiar.

Programme:

Anton Bruckner Christus -factus est WAB 11

Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy Miserere (parody of Kyrie MWV A3), Hora est MWV B18 (orch: Robert Percival)

Franz Schubert Lacrimosa son io D.131b

Anton Bruckner Ave Maria WAB 6

Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy Da nobis pacem (parody of Verleih uns Frieden gnädiglich WoO 5)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Great Mass in C minor K 427

• I. Kyrie

• II. Gloria

• III. Credo

Michael Haydn Ave Regina Caelorum MH 140

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Great Mass in C minor K 427

• IV. Sanctus

• V. Benedictus

Performers:

Pygmalion choir and orchestra

Sabine Devieilhe soprano

Lea Desandre mezzo-soprano

Xenia Puskarz Thomas mezzo-soprano

Kieran Carrell tenor

Huw Montague-Rendall bass

Raphaël Pichon conductor