Cooke's Tour 12: Beethoven's Missa Solemnis, an introduction #CookesTour

Richard Cooke's twelfth lockdown blog is a detailed analysis of Beethoven's towering choral work, the Missa Solemnis. Richard describes this piece as 'one of the outstanding statements of Western civilisation, holding its place bedside the finest art, literature and music of the last 600 years.' And no one who has performed it would argue with that statement!

Poor old Beethoven has been a victim of Covid-19 too: his 250th anniversary literally stopped in its tracks, with many music ensembles around the world cancelling performances of his work, the Royal Choral Society being one of them. Take this opportunity to listen to the work online, and read Richard's blog as you listen - he introduces it here.

Richard Cooke is Music Director of the Royal Choral Society, University of Essex Choir and Canterbury Choral Society.

#CookesTour

[MehdiD.Ardebili]

Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis is undoubtedly one the greatest achievements of western civilization let alone western classical music!