B Minor Mass
The gigantic B Minor Mass was gradually composed. At first it was to have been a “missa brevis,” but the rest was added later. Hilgenfeldt[65] makes the following remarks on it:—“This Mass is one of the noblest works of Art, full of inventive genius, depth of feeling, and astonishing artistic power: there is no other of the same calibre which can be compared to it. It was originally written for the Saxon Court, and was first performed at Dresden. On his other compositions of the same kind Bach has expended far less energy. It is possible that a Protestant artist such as he was could not entirely enter into the religious point of view which he was obliged to take in composing for the Catholic Church, and several of his other masses are merely collected from portions of his cantatas.”
This is, however, also the case with the B minor Mass: thus the Crucifixus occurs in the cantata “Weinen Klagen,” the Hosanna in “Preise dein Glücke,” the Agnus in “Lobet Gott in seinen Reichen.”
The Mass is dedicated to Frederick Augustus in the following words:—
“Illustrious Elector,—Gracious Master,—To Your Royal Highness I offer in deepest devotion this small fruit of the knowledge to which I have attained in music, with the most humble prayer that you will look upon it, not according to the poor composition, but with your world-renowned clemency, and therefore will take me under your powerful protection.
“I have for some years had the direction of the music in the two chief churches at Leipsic, but have suffered several disagreeable things, and my income has been reduced though I am myself blameless; but these troubles would be easily overcome if your Highness would grant me the favour of a decree, after conference with your Court orchestra.
“The gracious granting of my humble prayer would bind me to everlastingly honour you, and I offer myself to do anything with obedience that Your Royal Highness may require of me in the way of composing church or orchestral music, and to give unwearied industry, and to dedicate my whole strength to your service.—With ever-increasing faithfulness, I remain, Your Royal Highness’ most obedient Servant,—Johann Sebastian Bach.”
This letter was handed in to the Court at Dresden when Bach was there on a visit, July 27th, 1733. The reader will remember that he was at this time in conflict with Ernesti, and the Council;—the title of “Hof compositeur,” Court composer, was not however given him until 1736. Though Hilgenfeldt says the B minor Mass was first performed at Dresden, it is doubtful whether it was ever performed outside the two chief churches at Leipsic, and even there it was only done in parts. On a score of the “Gloria” made in 1740 the note occurs “on the feast of the Nativity.” The “Sanctus” also was originally intended as a Christmas piece. The “Kyrie” is of great length; its score occupies forty-six pages in the Bach Gesellschaft edition. Like the rest of the choral portions, it has five voices, two sopranos, alto, tenor and bass. The orchestra consists of two flutes, two oboi d’amore, two bassoons, strings and continuo.
The Gloria is scored for three trumpets, drums, two flutes, two oboes, two bassoons, strings and continuo. It will be observed that for the joyful music of the Gloria the tone of the oboe proper was considered more suitable than the perhaps more plaintive tone of the oboe d’amore, which is used in the Kyrie.