Ludwig Van Beethoven, Missa Solemnis

A big academy of 12 days of work.

The academy of preparation took place from the 24th to the 29th of April in Lleida, Spain (Auditori Enric Granados). Musicians worked here over 6 days studying and practicing a very difficult repertoire under the direction of Maestro Jordi Savall (orchestra) and Lluís Vilamajó (choir).

The academy of perfection took place from the 11th to the 16th May in Cardona, Spain (Col·legiata de Sant Vicenç de Cardona). Musicians worked here over 6 days evolving their practice and recording a CD that was released in September 2023. This 12 days academy included 89 musicians (40 in the choir and 49 in the orchestra). From a total of 89 musicians, 57 were young talents under 39 years old in the orchestra and under 35 years old in the choir.

Ludwig van Beethoven composed the Solemnis Mass between 1819 and 1823, two hundred years ago. After having toured and recorded the 9 symphonies of Beethoven, between 2019 and 2021, with unanimous praise from international critics, Jordi Savall explored this romantic work of huge interpretative dimensions (89 musicians) and duration (75 minutes) with the goal of restoring the original sound of the scores for a contemporary audience.

The concerts that followed this academy took place in 3 prestigious music venues in Europe:

• L’Auditori de Barcelona, Spain
• Stiftung Frauenkirche Dresden, Germany
• Philharmonie de Paris, France.

(April and May 2023)