Bruckner Mass in E Minor

The Austrian composer Anton Bruckner may be best-known for his symphonies, eleven immense orchestral works that are vast in scale and dimension. But in his “day job” as an organist and choirmaster, he composed a wealth of exquisite sacred music for his choirs at Sankt Florian monastery (where he had been a choirboy in his youth) and at the cathedral at Linz. His ethereal Mass No. 2 in E minor, composed in 1866 to celebrate a new chapel in the Linz cathedral, is scored for eight-voice mixed choir and an orchestra of wind instruments. This Mass, widely acknowledged as among Bruckner’s best works, evokes the cathedralesque musical architecture of the Renaissance masters overlaid with the rich harmonies of the nineteenth century. The program also includes a selection of motets by Bruckner and others. TIckets at the door are $10-$40; purchase in advance for best value. A PRE-CONCERT TALK begins at 3:15pm in the auditorium for ticket-holders.