Johann Sebastian Bach created this magnificent composition for the complete Roman Catholic service of a Latin Mass. It represents one of Bach’s last works and wasn’t fully completed until 1749, a year before his death. Bach’s Mass has become widely proclaimed as one of the greatest compositions in musical history, being performed and recorded many times over. So many, it’s recommended that a person sample several different recordings before making a purchase, just to decide which version they’d prefer.
Under Frans Brüggen’s direction, this particular recording from 2009, is my personal favorite. It has a quicker pace, as opposed to some of the earlier Baroque recordings. The vocals of Cappella Amsterdam are ethereally beautiful, while the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century, founded by Frans Brüggen, provides a brightly dynamic sound to Bach’s masterful arrangement.
