© Johanne-Toennies
Stroke of Genius
Program
Hector Berlioz
Messe solennelle
1824
Cast
Bach Society Cologne
Sofia Poulopoulou
soprano
Fabián Lara
tenor
Valentin Ruckebier
bass
Christoph Siebert
conductor
Bach-Verein Köln in Kooperation mit Gürzenich-Orchester Köln und Netzwerk Kölner Chöre
Dates
No sooner had Hector Berlioz given up his medical studies than he landed a veritable hit as a composer: at the age of only 20, he hit the bull’s eye without hesitation. Befitting the confidence of youth, it was a monumental work: 13 movements, three soloists, a choir and an opulent orchestra fill the space with music in his Messe solennelle, at times full of dignity and solemnity, then of jubilation and boundless verve. Another typical trait of early bloomers is their sudden dissatisfaction with the works born in a creative rush. Berlioz soon wanted nothing to do with his Messe solennelle, claiming that he had destroyed the score and parts. End of story, done and dusted. 150 year later came the great surprise: the young man had not told the whole truth at the time, for the score of the mass resurfaced in the organ loft of a church in Antwerp. Today, it is an audience favourite among large-dimensioned romantic choral works. And given its exquisite beauty, that is hardly surprising.