In 2022, as we commemorated the 60th Anniversary of the Casavant Organ of St. Bernard Church, we began the tradition of offering a semiannual “MASSterwork”; a robust sacred music composition offered in its original intended setting, in the context of Holy Mass. We hope that you will join us for our upcoming event, either by singing in the choir, or by attending the First Friday Mass as we explore the rich treasures of our Roman Catholic faith.
Michael Haydn
Missa tempore Quadragesima
(Mass in time of Pre-Lent)
Composer of over 360 symphonies, concertos, orchestral pieces and chamber music, Michael Haydn’s sacred choral compositions are often cited as his most important works. Born in Rohrau, Austria, he followed his famous brother Joseph into a musical career at the age of 8, singing in the choir at St. Stephansdom Cathedral in Vienna. By age 12, he was serving as assistant organist, performing his own compositions. He left Vienna to study, write and perform his music until he was named court Konzertmeister in Salzburg in 1762, and replaced W.A. Mozart as court organist there in the 1780s. His influence can be found in a number of Mozart’s own compositions. Missa tempore Quadragesima, for four voices and organ, echoes the traditions of Gregorian chant while it moves from the lively dance of the Kyrie and Credo through the more introspective Et incarnatus est and Agnus Dei.
Choristers are invited once again to participate in offering a glorious musical work in the context for which it was intended—the celebration of Holy Mass. We will sing for the First Friday Mass on February 7, 2025. Rehearsals will be held on Tuesday, January 28th and February 4th from 7:00-9:00 P.M. at St. Bernard Church, 311 Washington Road. While we encourage you to attend both rehearsals because of the abbreviated schedule, we can accommodate individual schedules when necessary. All music for the Mass will be provided at no cost to you.
It’s never too early to sign up to take advantage of this exciting choral opportunity. Fill out the registration form below to secure your place in what promises to be an exciting and inspirational Mass. We hope to see you there!
Past MASSterworks
Missa Festiva “Orbis Factor”
Daniel Roth
September 6, 2024
Chaz Bowers, Conductor
Aaron Sproul, Organ
Messe Brève
Yves Castagnet
February 2, 2024
Chaz Bowers, Conductor
Aaron Sproul, Organ
Missa in Honorem Sancti Josephi, Op.21 (Mass in Honor of St. Joseph)
Flor Peeters
May 5, 2023
Chaz Bowers, Conductor
Aaron Sproul, Organ
Mass for Two Choirs and Two Organs, Op.36
Charles-Marie Widor
October 5, 2022
Chaz Bowers, Conductor
Aaron Sproul, Grand Organ
Kevin Litzinger, Choir Organ