Schubert in the Imperial Chapel

Franz Schubert, imperial chorister from 1809 to 1813 and arguably our most famous alumn, wrote his second setting of the mass ordinary in March of 1815, in five days - he had just turned 18. The piece was probably written to order, and probably first performed in the parish church of Lichtental, Schubert's home parish, with Schubert himself conducting. It is scored for soprano, tenor, and bass soloists, for four-part mixed choir and strings. Mirjam Schmidt conducts the performances on Sunday 14 January and on Sunday 28 January.

Schmidt writes: "Schubert's Mass in G is a rare gem in that great treasure trove that is Musica sacra, sacred music. Schubert approaches the mystical words of the mass ordinary with unique sensitivity, and I quote Oskar Werner, who said "Mozart and Beethoven reach Heaven; Schubert comes from there."

Listen to the music on Spotify (1981; Uwe Christian Harrer, conductor; the soprano soloist is Dominik Orieschnig), or on YouTube (Bruno Weil, conductor; the soprano soloist is Thomas Puchegger).

More information and tickets