Missa Solemnis

Image: Beethoven with the Manuscript of the Missa Solemnis, by Joseph Karl Stieler, 1820

Toronto Mendelssohn Choir performed the great feat of Beethoven’s “Missa Solemnis”. This piece for full choir, four soloists, and orchestra went off without a hitch and impressed audiences at Roy Thomspon Hall.

               The piece keeps listeners on their toes, as Beethoven moved through many ideas and not settling too deeply into one before moving onto the next. The excitement of ever evolving music energized listeners and performers alike.

               The orchestra, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, played wonderfully and beautifully. The beauty of the missa, was its ability to showcase each section of the orchestra, soloists, and choir.  During the santus symphonia, the violas and cellos had their moment to shine: full, smooth and rich sounding. The soloists quartet had time to sing together, beautifully blended and heartfelt. Throughout the whole mass, each soloist shined in duets and solo sections, complementing the choir.

               Perhaps what impressed me the most about the performance was the control the choir had over the music. With 160 singers, a performance has the potential to be unbalanced, however that was not the case for this ensemble. There were multiple moments where the technical ability of the choir was shown off well, be it the times the orchestra fully stopped and the choir held beautiful quiet passages (and quiet for 160 people is not easy),  sopranos had times where they sang staccato notes high in their range with wonderful control, and the tenors soared with passages of many high notes. The technique was very impressive, especially for a group of not all professional singers.

               The soloists, Tracy Cantin – soprano, Simona Genga - mezzo-soprano, Frédéric Antoun – tenor, and Brett Polegato – baritone, were all graces on stage. They all sang beautifully, with Antoun having one of larger parts and their voice filling the entire hall, undoubtedly wowing all in attendance.

               Something I found interesting near the end of the missa, was ,how the intense orchestration, operatic soloists, and colour of the music of the agnus dei felt like a forward reach to Verdi’s “Requiem”. The drama and intensity, I suspect were an inspiration for the later composer.

               To sing this piece is no easy feat and is sure to be an accolade to add to the list of Toronto Mendelssohn Choir’s wonderful accomplishments.