Con Brio’s Gala 30th Anniversay Concerts will feature the beloved Beethoven Mass in C, Op. 86. This magnificent Mass was composed in 1807, written for 4 soloists (SATB) chorus, and orchestra. Con Brio performed this work in New London, CT and Carnegie Hall, NY, in conjunction with Eastern Connecticut Sympnony chorus, during Con Brio’s first season: 1997-98.
Other works to be performed will be announced later.
Concert dates are Saturday April 17, and Sunday April 18, 2027 both at 3 PM, at Valley Regional H.S., Deep River, CT Link to Google Maps
Ludwig van Beethoven’s Mass in C major, Op. 86, composed in 1807, stands at a fascinating crossroads in his creative life—bridging the formal traditions of the Classical era with the emotional depth and individuality that would define his later works. Commissioned by Prince Nikolaus Esterházy II for performance at the Esterházy court in Eisenstadt, the Mass follows in the distinguished lineage of liturgical works written for the same patron, including those by Joseph Haydn. Yet Beethoven’s approach is unmistakably his own.
Rather than emphasizing grandeur and ceremonial brilliance, Beethoven crafts a Mass of intimacy and inward reflection. The opening Kyrie immediately departs from expectation with its gentle, almost hesitant plea for mercy, setting a tone of humility that resonates throughout the work. The Gloria and Credo unfold with rhythmic vitality and structural clarity, yet beneath their classical balance lies a deeply personal response to the sacred text—one that prioritizes expression over convention.
The Mass was not initially well received by its patron, who found it insufficiently traditional. However, modern audiences and performers recognize its originality and sincerity as hallmarks of Beethoven’s evolving style. In contrast to the monumental scale of his later Missa Solemnis, Op. 123, the Mass in C reveals a composer exploring faith through a more human, contemplative lens.
Today, Beethoven’s Mass in C major is valued not only as a significant liturgical composition, but also as a work that captures a pivotal moment in his artistic journey—where Classical form begins to give way to the expressive freedom of the Romantic spirit