“From the heart—may it again—go to the heart!” Beethoven inscribed these words in the manuscript of his mighty Missa solemnis, one of his last and largest compositions. His initial motivation was to honor his friend, student, and patron, Archduke Rudolph, who was to be installed as Archbishop of Olmütz in March 1820. But the project grew in proportions and Beethoven missed the deadline by several years. He added that the Missa solemnis is the “greatest work I have composed so far.” Even allowing for the facts that Beethoven was telling this to a publisher and that in 1822 he had not yet composed the Ninth Symphony and the last string quartets, his declaration must be taken seriously. The Mass is Beethoven’s largest and longest composition (except for the opera Fidelio), and yet at times also one of his most intimate and personal. He inscribed in the manuscript: “From the heart—may it go to the heart!” Its gestation took more than four years and came at a crucial juncture in Beethoven’s career. As the aging and deaf composer increasingly withdrew from society, he created a musical testimony that is one of the supreme expressions of personal belief.
Choir
Le Choeur de l'USJ
Orchestra
The Jeunesses Musicales du Liban Orchestra
Members of the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra
CREDITS
Benedicte Tauran | Soprano
Sofia Pavone | Mezzo Soprano
Bechara Moufarej | Tenor
Alexandru Constantin | Bass
Yasmina Sabbah | Conductor