When did Johann Sebastian Bach compose the Mass in B minor?
Johann Sebastian Bach composed the Mass in B minor between 1733 and 1749. He began the work on the 1st of February 1733 and completed the final sections by the 25th of August 1749.
Common questions about Mass in B minor
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Why did Johann Sebastian Bach write the Mass in B minor?
Johann Sebastian Bach wrote the Mass in B minor to petition Augustus III for the title of Electoral Saxon Court Composer. He composed the initial portion as a diplomatic maneuver following the death of Augustus II the Strong.
How many movements does the Mass in B minor contain?
The Mass in B minor contains twenty-seven movements. Scholars have identified specific models for eleven of these movements, revealing that Bach recycled his own compositions to create the work.
When was the Mass in B minor first performed in its entirety?
The Mass in B minor was first performed in its entirety in 1859 in Leipzig. Karl Riedel and the Riedel-Verein brought the work to the stage 109 years after Bach's death.
What instruments are used in the Mass in B minor?
The Mass in B minor features two flutes, two oboes d'amore, two bassoons, one natural horn in D, three natural trumpets in D, timpani, and a full string section with continuo. The work also utilizes a third oboe for the Sanctus and includes an extended winds section.
Where is the Mass in B minor manuscript located?
Bach's personal handwritten manuscript of the Mass in B minor is held by the Berlin State Library. This manuscript was included in the UNESCO's Memory of the World International Register in 2015.