concert in the cologne cathedral

Concerts by the Gürzenich Orchestra with free admission to the Cathedral are considered a red-letter event for many familiar with the Cologne music scene. For this year’s collaboration with the Cologne Cathedral Vocal Ensemble, Cathedral Director of Music Eberhard Metternich chose one of the most important works in the canon of classical music: Beethoven’s Missa solemnis. Originally intended as a High Mass for the elevation of the composer’s friend, Archduke Rudolph of Austria, to archbishop of Olomouc, for Beethoven the process of composing the work became an existential quest in search of God that lasted several years. After working six years on it, the Missa had taken on dimensions far beyond that of a Mass setting and was first performed in a concert hall. Here Beethoven’s famed Mass will be performed in a consecrated place.