MASS IN C MAJOR, Op. 86 (Full Score & Instrumental Parts)

Beethoven’s Mass in C, more serene and reserved than the later Missa Solemnis, nevertheless contains signature elements of Beethoven’s more overt and unrestrained expressive style: sudden (even shocking) dynamic changes, intensely emotional harmonic excursions, and a detailed and idiosyncratic approach to articulation and phrasing. The result is a masterpiece of balanced emotional content and musical integrity. At the same time, its more conservative nature makes it accessible to a wider range of performers and performance situations than his later choral masterworks, the Missa Solemnis and the Ninth Symphony.

This new performance edition by Steven Paxton clarifies numerous dynamic, expression, articulation, and phrase markings, and ‘fine-tunes’ many phrase endings in the choral parts in order to facilitate the rehearsal process. And it is offered at a price that will hopefully make possible more frequent performances of this Beethoven masterpiece.

DURATION: 45:00 — 50:00