First Presbyterian Choir sings Kodaly's Missa Brevis

First Presbyterian San Anselmo Chancel Choir and guest singers with Music Director Daniel Canosa will present Missa Brevis by Zoltán Kodály during worship on June 5th. We are especially fortunate to have our wonderful, glorious organ for this work. The first movement, the Introitus, is entirely an organ solo. In some movements, the choir is joined by a trio of soprano soloists, an angelic song woven into the composition.

The Missa Brevis (literally, “short mass”) is an extraordinary piece. Remarkably, Kodály finished composing the Missa Brevis while taking refuge underneath the Budapest Opera House as the Russian Army lay siege to the Nazi-occupied city in 1944. Kodály used very few of his characteristic Hungarian motifs in this work. It is clear he intended it to be “a spiritual supplication rather than a gesture of nationalism.” (James Reel) Its premiere took place in an Opera House cloakroom on February 11, 1945, with a choir of opera soloists, accompanied by harmonium and the sound of gunfire in the distance. This history is a poignant reminder to all of us of a hard-won peace and freedom, the terrors of war, the power of music to heal the soul, and hope for a better world.

Please join us for a performance. It will truly be a special evening and musical worship service.

Sunday, June 5th, 10 am

72 Kensington Rd, San Anselmo, 94960

For more information, please contact Linda Price, lgprice57@gmail.com or 415-272-3461.