MASS IN D MAJOR / JOHANN GOTTLOB HARRER | INAUGURATION OF THE FESTIVAL

Johann Gottlob Harrer (1703–1755) received his musical education in Italy thanks to the patronage of Heinrich Brühl. The high-ranking official and favourite of Augustus III of Saxony must have been firmly convinced of Harrer’s talent, since he employed him for nearly twenty years as his Kapellmeister and later, in 1750, recommended him for the prestigious post of cantor at St Thomas’s Church in Leipzig. Thus, Harrer became the direct successor of the great Johann Sebastian Bach and held this distinguished position until his death in 1755.

Elaborate in form and ceremonial in character, the Mass in D major from late 1735, dating from the composer’s service at Count Brühl’s Dresden court, is one of Harrer’s most important sacred works. Although its monumental form is rooted in the Baroque tradition and its handling of sonority draws on the achievements of the Italian masters, the lightness of texture and refined melodic lines characteristic of the galant style already foreshadow a new era.

Marta Dziewanowska-Pachowska

PROGRAM

Johann Gottlob Harrer (1703-1755) – Mass in D major HarWV 32

I Kyrie – Christe – Kyrie
II Gloria – Qui tollis – Quoniam – Cum Sancto Spiritu
III Credo – Crucifixus – Et resurrexit – Et vitam
IV Sanctus
V Benedictus – Osanna
VI Agnus Dei – Dona nobis pacem

PERFORMERS

MARTA BOBERSKA SOPRANO 

JAKUB FOLTAK COUNTERTENOR  

JACEK SZPONARSKI TENOR  

MICHAŁ DEMBIŃSKI BASS  

THE CHAMBER CHOIR OF THE POLISH ROYAL OPERA

THE PERIOD INSTRUMENTS ENSEMBLE OF THE POLISH ROYAL OPERA CAPELLA REGIA POLONA

RENATA SZCZYPIOR CHAMBER CHOIR MASTER

KRZYSZTOF GARSTKA HARPSICHORD/POSITIVE ORGAN, CONDUCTOR

Duration: approx. 1h

The seats in the auditorium are not numbered.