Zoltán Kodály composed his “Missa Brevis” amid the oppressive, gloomy atmosphere of World War II, creating two versions: one for organ and one for orchestra. The work premiered with a minimal ensemble in a dressing room in the basement of the Budapest Opera House, while the Hungarian capital was under bombardment. Its focus lies in the expressive power of the human voice, which, like no other instrument, is capable of reflecting all the stirrings of the soul, even without words. It does so by drawing on the entire history of music. Thus, you hear echoes of Gregorian chant, Renaissance vocal polyphony, Hungarian folk music—in which Kodály specialized through Béla Bartók—and the musical language of the 20th century.
Morten Lauridsen, a contemporary American composer with Danish roots, captures the audience in a moment of intercession and longing for eternal light for the dying, as well as comfort for the bereaved. He does this through his characteristic, moving musical language. Both composers engage with the respective Latin texts in an intimate, personal way, with the main role assigned to the choir. Let yourself be moved, even in times of happiness, health, and joie de vivre.
Tickets are CHF 45.

Website
kulturkirche-paulus.ch/event-details/cantus-basel-2

Where
Kulturkirche Paulus
Steinenring 20
4051 Basel

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