Glagolitic Mass
The
Glagolitic Mass (also called
Slavonic Mass; in Czech
Glagolská mše and sometimes
Mša glagolskaja) is a piece for soloists,
chorus and orchestra by
Leoš Janáček. The text is written in
Old Church Slavonic. The first performance was in
Prague on
26 June 1926.
The term "Glagolitic" refers to the
Glagolitic alphabet, the earliest
alphabet used by the
Slavs, and not to the texts used for the mass, as Janáček seems to have believed. Janáček was a strong supporter of
pan-Slavism, and this
mass has been viewed as a celebration of Slavic culture. It is also, unsurprisingly, connected to
Kamila Stösslová, Janáček's great love.
The composer had extensive experience working with choirs, as well as writing a large amount of choral
music, and this work is his finest in the genre. It begins and closes with triumphant
fanfares dominated by the
brass. In between these sections lies particularly vibrant and rhythmic writing for voices (
soloists as well as choir). Before the closing
Intrada, Janáček introduces a dramatic
organ solo of considerable originality -- a
perpetuo moto of wild energy. The
Glagolitic Mass is considered one of the century's masterworks and is frequently performed and recorded today.
Its eight movements are:
* 1.
Úvod [Introduction]
* 2.
Gospodi pomiluj [Kyrie]
* 3.
Slava [Gloria]
* 4.
Vĕruju [Credo]
* 5.
Svet [Sanctus]
* 6.
Agneče Božij [Agnus Dei]
* 7.
Varhany sólo (Postludium) [Organ solo]
* 8.
Intrada [Exodus]
Although this version is considered the "standard" version performed today, research into Janáček's manuscripts suggests that the Intrada was intended to be played at the beginning of the work as well, creating a symmetric nine-movement form with the
Vĕruju at its center. In addition, several other sections of the work were revealed to have been simplified in meter and orchestration.
* Sir
Simon Rattle conducting the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Recorded in 1981 and released in 1999 by EMI Classics.
* Sir
Charles Mackerras conducting the Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra (This version is based on Janáček's original manuscripts). Recorded in 1993 and released in 1994 by Chandos.
*
Rafael Kubelík conducting the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. Recorded in 1964 and released in 2002 by Deutsche Grammophon.
