Missa solemnis op. 123

orchestra: Fl, Ob, Clt, Fg, Cor, Tr, Trb, Timp, 2 Vl, Va, Vc, Cb, [Org]

Beethoven described his Missa solemnis several times as his greatest work. "Coming from the heart", it was intended to touch and move audiences. Beethoven worked long and intensively on the composition in order to give what he felt was adequate expression to the text. In its length and musical demands, the Missa solemnis goes far beyond typical liturgical settings; for good reason, the premiere took place in a concert hall.

With this arrangement for chamber orchestra (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, timpani and strings, plus organ ad lib), smaller choirs, as well as choirs with more limited resources of space or finance, can now perform this work too. However, the symphonic character and wide dynamic range of the work remain. The scoring of 7 instead of 18 winds offers an optimal balance between transparency and orchestral sound. All the vocal parts (soloists and chorus) are identical with the original version, so that the vocal score and chorus score of that version can be used.

• Major mass can also be performed by smaller choir
• Wind and brass parts of the original version reduced to just seven single instruments
• Vocal scores and choral scores from the original version can be used.
• carus plus: the work (original version) is available in carus music, the choir app, and in the practice CD series Carus Choir Coach.