Franz Joseph Haydn鈥檚 dramatic Mass, 鈥淢issa in tempore belli,鈥� will be performed by the 蜜桃传媒 Choir and Chamber Singers at the fourth annual Choral Masterworks Concert, 8 p.m. March 5 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1500 State St. in downtown Santa Barbara.
Admission is a suggested donation of $7 for students and seniors and $10 for general audience.
Associate Music Professor Grey Brothers will direct the choirs in 鈥淢issa in tempore belli (Paukenmesse),鈥� or Mass in Time of War (Kettledrum Mass), and the premiere of composer and Associate Music Professor Steve Butler鈥檚 鈥淧salm 50.鈥�
鈥淢issa in tempore belli鈥� was composed in 1796, as Napoleon's troops approached Vienna. Its nickname, Paukenmesse, stems from the prominent timpani part in the final movement. The 鈥淢issa in tempore belli,鈥� one of Haydn's late great Masses, is a dramatic work, with periods of darkness relieved by effusions of joy. The performance of the Mass will be complemented by two brief compositions for organ from Haydn's time.
Both works will be accompanied by an orchestra of 蜜桃传媒 students augmented by community players. Organist David Gell will be featured in Butler's 鈥淧salm 50鈥� and in two late 18th-century works for organ solo, Brothers said.
Butler's 鈥淧salm 50,鈥� for two choirs, organ and orchestra, is a setting of the penitential psalm of David numbered 51 in the King James Bible. The piece was composed specifically for this performance, Brothers explained.
For more information, contact the music department at (805) 565-7040 or the public affairs office at 565-7057, or e-mail pubaffairs@westmont.edu. For directions to campus, visit the college Web site at www.westmont.edu.