Major Mass
In a recent poll conducted jointly by "Access Hollywood," US Weekly and the entertainer Drake, about the gravitas of Johann Sebastian Bach's Mass in B Minor, the results were as follows: "Mass in who?" — 65 percent "Johann who?!" — 27 percent "I feel bad for minors. They're young." — 8 percent
This didn't really happen — thankfully, though one supposes it could — and classical music fans can rest easy that Bach's Mass in B Minor is still one of the greatest artistic works of genius ever. If you need to be reminded, or just want to hear it again in its resplendent glory, be in the George Kent Performance Hall Sunday when the Chorus of Westerly performs the piece.
It's a huge undertaking for any ensemble, and the chorus last performed the mass in 1985. Music director Andrew Howell conducts as always and the chorus will be joined joined by the Bach Festival Orchestra along with five exceptional vocal soloists: sopranos Sonja DuToit Tengblad and Margot Rood, contralto Emily Marvosh, tenor Dann Coakwell and bass Paul Max Tipton.
Worth noting: from noon to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Howell delivers a free lecture on the concert prior to a 2 p.m. dress rehearsal. Both are open to the public.
Bach's Mass in B Minor, Chorus of Westerly, 4 p.m. Sunday, George Kent Performance Hall, 119 High St., Westerly; $23-$65; (401) 596-8663.