Missa Omnium Sanctorum

Immerse yourself in the sacred and captivating world of Jan Dismas Zelenka's "Missa Omnium Sanctorum," a masterful choral work that showcases the composer's profound musicality and spiritual depth. Released on May 10, 2023, by The Grinnell Singers, this album is a testament to Zelenka's enduring legacy and the timeless beauty of Baroque music.

Comprising twelve tracks, the "Missa Omnium Sanctorum" is a comprehensive setting of the Catholic Mass, featuring intricate polyphony, rich harmonies, and stirring melodies. The album opens with the haunting "Kyrie Eleison I" and builds to a triumphant climax with the "Dona Nobis Pacem," offering a profound journey through the liturgical year.

Jan Dismas Zelenka, a contemporary of Johann Sebastian Bach, was a Czech composer whose works are celebrated for their complexity and emotional resonance. This album, performed by The Grinnell Singers under the direction of John Rommereim and accompanied by the Lyra Baroque Orchestra, brings Zelenka's vision to life with precision and passion.

The "Missa Omnium Sanctorum" is not just a musical performance but a spiritual experience. Each track is meticulously crafted, reflecting Zelenka's deep understanding of sacred music and his ability to evoke a sense of reverence and awe. From the solemnity of the "Gloria in Excelsis Deo" to the exultant joy of the "Sanctus," this album is a testament to the power of music to inspire and uplift.

With a duration of 56 minutes, this album is a perfect blend of solemnity and exultation, making it an essential addition to any classical music enthusiast's collection. Whether you are a longtime admirer of Baroque music or a newcomer to the genre, "Missa Omnium Sanctorum" offers a rich and rewarding listening experience that will leave you deeply moved and spiritually uplifted.

Jan Dismas Zelenka, born in the small Bohemian town of Louňovice pod Blaníkem in 1679, is a Baroque composer whose music has only recently begun to receive the widespread acclaim it deserves. Often hailed as the "Czech Bach," Zelenka's compositions are celebrated for their harmonic inventiveness and masterful counterpoint. Raised by an organist father, Zelenka's musical education began at the Prague Jesuit College and continued in Vienna. His professional life was spent in Dresden, where he served as a principal double-bass player and composer for the Saxon court. Zelenka's output is predominantly sacred, reflecting his deep religious fervor, and includes masses, requiems, oratorios, and various liturgical works. His music, characterized by its adventurous harmonies and intricate polyphony, has seen a remarkable resurgence in the last few decades, captivating audiences and musicians alike. Today, festivals dedicated to his work, such as the Podblanický hudební podzim and the international Zelenka Festival Prague, celebrate his enduring legacy.