Janácek: Glagolitic Mass

In this fascinating description of Janácek's most important works The Glagolithic Mass and its history, Paul Wingfield brings together information on all significant aspects of the work.

Paul Wingfield (Author)

9780521380133, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 12 March 1992

148 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.3 cm, 0.34 kg

"Wingfield offers pragmatic musical and textual solutions to changes and omissions in the score that have surfaced over time. Conductors should not embark on a performance of this masterwork without consulting this valuable handbook." Choral Journal

The Glagolitic Mass, written between 1926 and 1927, is not only one of Janácek's most important works: it is also a masterpiece of the twentieth-century choral repertoire. In this fascinating account of the work and its history, Paul Wingfield brings together material from early articles and reviews, letters and manuscripts which form a comprehensive account of the work's genesis and performance history. The author also provides a thorough revision of the Old Church Slavonic text along with English translation, and reconstructs Janácek's 'ideal' version of the work - far more exciting than the less adventurous rearrangement currently performed. Chapters on the music itself offer a full synopsis of the Glagolitic Mass, an in-depth discussion of its musical organisation and a selection of key interpretations of the piece by Janácek and others.

Acknowledgements
Note on musical examples, bar numbers, abbreviations and translations
Introduction
1. Genesis and reception
2. The (Old?) Church Slavonic text
3. The authentic score
4. Synopsis
5. Introduction to the musical organisation
6. Literature 1927–30
Notes
Principal sources of the Glagolitic Mass
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Individual composers & musicians, specific bands & groups [AVH]