Soloist: Kollo, Rene

Soloist: Moll, Kurt

Soloist: Moser, Edda

Soloist: Schwarz, Hanna

Choir: Netherlands Radio Choir

Orchestra: Concertgebouw Orchestra

Conductor: Bernstein, Leonard

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Composer: Beethoven, Ludwig van

Missa Solemnis in D Major, Op. 123

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Venue: Concertgebouw, Amsterdam

Playing Time: 01:25:16

Catalogue Number: A05004555

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The Missa solemnis, scored for four solo voices, chorus, orchestra and organ, is one of the world's greatest choral works. It blends an age-old religious service with a musical outpouring of human emotions in an intensely personal manner. As with other musical forms, Beethoven altered, expanded and shaped the mass until it corresponded to his creative needs. Beethoven conceived the mass for a religious occasion, the installation of Archduke Rudolf as Archbishop of Olmütz in 1820. However, he did not complete it in time and the work was given its premiere in St. Petersburg on 7 April 1824. In his score, Beethoven wrote the words "From the heart... may it find its way to the heart" (vom Herzen - möge es wieder zu Herzen gehen!). Indeed, the work's dramatic, almost volcanic fervor never fails to go to the heart of all listeners.

This work is part of the complete cycle of Beethoven symphonic and choral works featuring the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam conducted by Leonard Bernstein. In this recording with the Dutch orchestra, Bernstein also conducts the soloists Edda Moser, Hanna Schwarz, René Kollo and Kurt Moll, along with the Chorus of Radio Hilversum.