The Mass in B Minor represents the culmination of Bach’s career as a composer of sacred music. Completion of this project was one of his last and largest projects, but within he adapted music that he had written decades earlier. Bach draws together a dazzling array of older and newer styles, from superlative displays of rich counterpoint to modern dance-influenced movements. The texts of the Mass provided him with opportunities for this rich variety and for dramatic juxtapositions of styles and characters.

This concert continues the acclaimed collaboration between the Choir of The Queen's College, Oxford and the world famous Academy of Ancient Music, a combination of the finest choral singing and an orchestra with a worldwide reputation for excellence in baroque and classical music.

Choir and orchestra are conducted by Owen Rees, Director of Music at The Queen's College, whose interpretations of choral music have been hailed as ‘revelatory and even visionary' (BBC Music Magazine).

Julia Doyle soprano

Esther Lay mezzo-soprano

Guy Cutting tenor

Ashley Riches bass-baritone

Choir of The Queen's College, Oxford

Academy of Ancient Music

Owen Rees director