Missa Solemnis BBC Symphony Orchestra & Chorus by Beethoven, Wed 04 Mar 2020, From (2020/2020), Conductor Donald Runnicles, Barbican Centre, London, United Kingdom

A cornerstone of the Barbican’s celebrations of 250 years since Beethoven’s birth: his musical vision of the divine is unleashed by the forces of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Chorus and vocal soloists. Of all his own works, Beethoven admired one more than any other: his grand solemn mass in music, the Missa Solemnis. When the composer started to write the piece in 1819, he sensed a new energy flowing through him. Four years later, on specially enlarged sheets of paper, he had succeeded in setting down his musical vision of the divine using every means of sonic imagery available to him. Brought to life, Beethoven’s score represents his most intense and uplifting live concert experience. Donald Runnicles conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra for this performance with stunning soloists and the BBC Symphony Chorus.