On Thursday night at Darien Library, frequent Darien Library lecturer Gil Harel will examine Bach’s Mass in B-Minor, the composer’s final amazing achievement, a testament to his career, with a work that transcends any historical period.
— an announcement from Darien Library
Johann Sebastian Bach did not complete his B Minor Mass until 1749, the year before he died. Indeed, that this pietist Lutheran musical juggernaut set the Mass Ordinary in Latin is itself a curiosity that invites closer examination.
Scholars have long debated the “why” part of this question, but posterity can only express gratitude that he did. Towering in scope, Bach employed the “parody” technique of repurposing older compositions (something for which G.F. Handel is well known), and supplemented these older reworkings with new movements of exquisite expressivity.
Join Professor Gil Harel as he navigates the score of this incredible work that served as something of a swan song for the man whose name is synonymous with the baroque period.
If You’re Going …
Harel’s talk will be from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Community Room of Darien Library. You can register for the event here.
About Gil Harel
Gil Harel (PhD, Brandeis University) is a musicologist and music theorist whose interests include styles ranging from western classical repertoire to jazz and musical theater. Previously, he served on the faculty at CUNY Baruch College (where he was awarded the prestigious “Presidential Excellence Award for Distinguished Teaching”).
Currently, he is Professor of Music at Naugatuck Valley Community College, where he has been presented with the AFT “Merit Award for Exemplary Service to the College” for 4 consecutive years. In 2020, he was honored with the coveted Connecticut Board of Regents (BOR) Teaching Award. At NVCC, Dr. Harel conducts the college chorale, a cappella ensemble, teaches music history and theory, and serves as musical director of theater productions.