J S Bach

St Peter’s Singers are passionate about the music we sing and want to share it with as many people as possible. We will do all we can to make anyone who comes to our concerts feel welcome and at ease. So if you’ve not tried this music out before, why not come along and bring a friend? Leeds Minster is an accessible venue with good facilities. Everyone is welcome. What to expect at a St Peter’s Singers concert.

Ruby Hendry	soprano
Lucy Appleyard	mezzo
Joanna Gamble	contralto
Toby Ward	tenor
Quentin Brown	bass-baritone

St Peter’s Singers

National Festival Orchestra

Sally Robinson leader

Alexander Woodrow conductor

About the Mass in B Minor

The Mass in B Minor is a musical setting of the Latin words of the Western Church’s Mass. It begins powerfully in the key of B Minor, but visits many other keys as it explores and illuminates the meaning and significance of each word and phrase throughout the two hours that it takes to perform.

It is performed by Choir and Orchestra, with instrumental and vocal soloists in various combinations providing contrasting moments of more personal and intimate expression between the big climaxes and collective utterances. The high-pitched piccolo trumpets, deployed with all of Bach’s genius, add an ecstatic thrill to the mix.

Bach created the work partially using and adapting music he had already written for other works and occasions. His intention may have been to use it as a means of obtaining new employment, and remarkably, it is almost certain he never had the privilege which we now enjoy of hearing the work in its entirety. It remains one of the towering masterpieces of Western culture.

The performance will consist of two parts, lasting about an hour each, with an interval in-between, during which tea and coffee will be served. A translation of the Latin text will be available at the performance, or you can access the programme notes online. Seating will be on a first come, first served basis. Dress is informal. Doors open at 6.20pm, and the performance will finish at about 9.30pm.

Programme Notes

Access and Accessibility

Leeds Minster is about 5 minutes walk from Leeds Bus Station, and about 15 minutes walk from Leeds Railway Station. There is on-street parking on the side streets nearby, as well as the NCP Markets carpark (5 minutes) and the John Lewis carpark (10 minutes).

There is ramp access to the main doors beneath the tower, with entrance to the grounds at the West End by the Lamb and Flag pub recommended to avoid the steps up from the street level. Once inside there there is step-free access to the concert seating and to the City of Leeds Room for refreshments and toilets. Wheelchairs and mobility devices are welcome and can be accommodated.

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St Peter’s Singers gratefully acknowledge the generous support of

The Friends of the Music of Leeds Minster

St Peter’s Singers’ presentation of Music for Good Friday is an annual event, given by kind permission of Leeds Minster. It provides an opportunity to hear one of the great works of the sacred Oratorio repertoire in a context that a concert hall performance on a Saturday evening cannot provide, and at a price that more people can afford.

Past works receiving performance include:

• Bach’s St John Passion
• Bach’s B Minor Mass
• Handel’s Messiah
• Brahms’ German Requiem
• Dvorak’s Stabat Mater
• Haydn’s Stabat Mater
• Scarlatti’s Stabat Mater
• Oglesby’s Penthos