Johann Sebastian Bach’s Mass in B Minor, BWV 232, is considered one of the most significant sacred compositions in the history of music. It is Bach’s last major vocal work and his only composition based on the complete Ordinarium of the Latin Mass text. It is a Missa solemnis consisting of 18 choral movements and nine arias. In 1733, Bach initially composed a Mass consisting of the Kyrie and Gloria. Toward the end of his life, he compiled the remaining movements from arrangements of earlier compositions—primarily from his cantatas—and new compositions.
The manuscript from 1748/1749 is part of the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.
The composition surpasses all known Mass settings, not only from Bach’s own time but far beyond. In this sublime sacred composition, Bach incorporated the full range of his artistry into this multifaceted work: from simple, song-like melodies to complex polyphony, and from grand Baroque splendor to heartfelt sensitivity, the Mass offers everything that distinguishes his compositional oeuvre.
It was a true delight for all lovers of the overwhelming choral-symphonic repertoire. The performing ensemble, the award-winning British Baroque ensemble Arcangelo, was thoroughly familiar with Bach’s oeuvre. Under the direction of Jonathan Cohen, it transformed the venerable basilica of Eberbach Abbey into a grand cathedral of sound that evening.
Arcanglo is a multi-award-winning and internationally renowned early music ensemble that was founded in 2010 by Jonathan Cohen, who also serves as its music director. He is one of the most outstanding young musicians from the United Kingdom and has already achieved success as a conductor, cellist, and pianist. After studying at Clare College in Cambridge, Jonathan Cohen began his career by first making a name for himself as a cellist and collaborating with leading British orchestras. These experiences, combined with his interest in historical instruments, led to the development of his own crossover style in the field of early music. “With Cohen’s musicians, you could light a bonfire—and quite a bit more,” wrote The Times in March 2025.
The audience at the Basilica of Eberbach Abbey felt the same way. They rewarded this performance at the 2026 Rheingau Music Festival with thunderous applause and a standing ovation.
Johanna Wenninger-Muhr