Missa sacra
op. 147, 1852
A mass setting by Robert Schumann? This is still likely to cause surprise among audiences – after all, Schumann is not generally viewed as a sacred composer. Indeed, his little-known late work, the Missa sacra, Op. 147, is a discovery not just for listeners but often for the performers themselves. The mass combines an acute fascination with sacred liturgy typical of Schumann’s time with the pragmatism of its intended use by a local choral society. The composer employs his considerable skills to create a captivating and varied score that is almost ethereal in the Kyrie, leading to passages of an intimate and lyrical piano that alternate with fortissimo for words of praise, while always displaying the utmost sensitivity and a delight in dissonance. The composer declared his setting to be “fashioned with great love”.
The demanding orchestral mass can be realized with limited means. The solo parts can be filled from the choir. The work, which the composer himself did not have published, is here reissued on the basis of Schumann’s partial autograph score.
Carus has also produced an arrangement of the work for choir & organ, enabling performances without orchestra in smaller venues (Carus 40.687/45).
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Composer
Robert Schumann
| 1810-1856Robert Schumann is still primarily known as a composer of piano and lieder and as a symphonic composer. In his later creative years, however, he saw the composition of choral music as an important focus of his work. Even today, it is important to discover a largely unknown Schumann, whose choral music masterfully combines popular appeal and artistic ambition. Carus offers Schumann's complete works for mixed choir and for female choir a cappella and with piano. They demonstrate his love of experimentation, his sensitivity in the selection and musical realisation of the texts and, last but not least, his independent choral style, which places particular emphasis on refined details in the composition. Personal details
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Editor
Hansjörg Ewert
Reviews
… ambitionierten Chören zu empfehlen, die auf der Suche nach wertvoller Konzertliteratur abseits ausgetretener Pfade sind. … Ausgabe in bewährter Carus-Qualität eröffnet den Weg zu dieser Preziose romantischer Kirchenmusik.
Musica Sacra, 02/2025
… eine große romantische Orchestermesse im besten Sinne des Wortes. Schumann schöpft besetzungstechnisch wie musikalisch aus dem Vollen …
Württembergische Blätter für Kirchenmusik, 01/2025
...die Missa sacra, op. 147, ist eine Entdeckung. … Die anspruchsvolle Orchestermesse ist mit begrenzten Mitteln zu realisieren.
Musik & Liturgie, 05/2024
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