Gielen conducts Beethoven: Missa Solemnis

In the last decade of his life, Beethoven gazed into the infinite, labouring for five years on the mightiest Mass setting since Bach. “From the heart – may it go to the heart” was Beethoven’s own comment on his Missa Solemnis, and there’s a profound sense of meaning – of connection to tradition, both artistic and spiritual – in this live performance given in 1987 in the majestic surroundings of the Amanduskirche, Bad Urach. The late Michael Gielen brings an unaffected dignity, and his combined Bohemian and Bavarian forces (as well as a quartet of solo singers including contralto Marjana Lipovšek) respond nobly.

Soloists: 

Phyllis Bryn-Julson (Soprano), Marjana Lipovšek (Mezzo-Soprano), Josef Protschka (Tenor), Kurt Rydl (Bass), Wolfgang Hock (Violin)

Ensembles: 

Prague Philharmonic Choir, SWF Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden

Conductor: 

Michael Gielen