Parliament Choir: Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis
The Parliament Choir celebrates its 25th anniversary with a performance of Beethoven’s majestic and exhilarating late masterpiece.
This concert is a celebration of two significant anniversaries: as well as the Parliament Choir turning 25 this year, Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis received its first performance two hundred years ago, in 1824.
At the head of the score for Missa Solemnis, Beethoven wrote, ‘From the heart – may it return to the heart’. In common with other works of his final decade, the composer pushes at the boundaries of what is possible in music on both the smallest and the largest scales, while expressing deeply-held personal feelings.
Although standing in the tradition of the great Mass settings of Beethoven’s teacher Haydn, the Missa Solemnis nevertheless breaks new ground of expression and technique, paving the way for a radical and often unsettling view of what choral music can be.
Tonight’s performance also marks the 25th anniversary of the Parliament Choir, founded by Simon Over to offer an opportunity for those who work in Parliament to come together and sing, away from the stresses and strains of daily life in Westminster.
The group has grown in strength and numbers since its early days, recently performing Bach’s Mass in B minor and Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius.
The Missa Solemnis marks another significant milestone in its existence, and is accompanied by alumni of Southbank Sinfonia, the orchestra also founded by Simon Over, who have been a part of many of the choir’s concerts.
Performers
Southbank Sinfonia
Simon Over conductor
Jennifer Pike violin
Lucy Crowe soprano
Jess Dandy contralto
Dominic Bevan tenor
William Thomas bass
The Parliament Choir
Repertoire
Beethoven: Romance in F for violin & orchestra, Op.50
Beethoven: Mass in D (Missa solemnis)
Need to know
For your visit
This event is held at the Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre
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Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.
Plan your visit
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Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
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Food & drink
On Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall you can grab a slice of life by the Thames with drinks and freshly made pizza at our Festival Bar & Kitchen which opens out onto our Riverside Terrace. You can grab a coffee and a slice of freshly made cake from our Ballroom Cafe. Or alternatively enjoy destination dining in the restaurant at Skylon.
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.