When Beethoven reached the end of his Missa Solemnis he wrote the following about the Agnus Dei: “Depiction of outer and inner peace”. He then crossed out “Depiction” and replaced it with “Prayer” so it finally became “Prayer for outer and inner peace”. Beethoven the idealist no longer wished to instruct, preferring instead to turn to prayer. According to the composer himself, the Mass is not only his greatest work but also his most personal. For years John Eliot Gardiner immersed himself in the work, and his CD recordings are considered to be amongst the finest of reference material. However, he has long since moved on, and now one of the most progressive of today’s elite is also the most independent. He has founded his own record company, and only conducts works close to his heart. He is a true gentleman of the music scene, an innovator, and already a classical master. 

John Eliot Gardiner Conductor
Lucy Crowe Soprano
Daniela Lehner Mezzo Soprano
James Gilchrist Tenor
Matthew Rose Bass
Monteverdi Choir
Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique

Ludwig van Beethoven
Missa Solemnis in D Major, Op. 123

Finishing time approx.: 9.30 pm