Widely regarded as the pinnacle of Bach’s choral compositions, the Mass in B Minor stands as a testament
to his lifelong mastery.
Maestro Robert Geary leads the San Francisco Choral Society and the Orchestra of Cantata Collective in a powerful and moving performance of this transcendent work. Completed just a year before Bach’s passing, the Mass in B Minor weaves together a lifetime of musical innovation, grandeur, and spiritual depth—offering an experience that is both profound and unforgettable.
Saturday, May 3, 7pm
Sunday, May 4, 4pm
The program will last approximately 2 hours & 20 minutes including one intermission.
INTERMISSION EXTRA
At the Intermission, we will have a Baroque dance demonstration by historica dance specialist, Jennifer Meller.
Several movements of Bach's B-minor mass are based on dances of the era.
Join us at intermission to see these dances in action and how Bach's music is inspired by movement.
NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANT PROMO
MAY 3RD – Taco Bar
2401 California Street (at Fillmore)
Promotion for our May 3rd ticket holders: Receive a complimentary side with purchase of a main entree (tacos, quesadillas, burritos, bowls, soup, salad, ceviche, nachos)
MAY 4TH – La Mediterranee
2210 Fillmore St (between Jackson and Clay)
Promotion for our May 4th ticket holders: Receive a complimentary glass of wine OR hummus appetizer per guest (only valid with the purchase of a dinner entree)
The historic
Calvary Presbyterian Church
2515 Fillmore Street at Jackson
San Francisco, CA 94115
Public Transportation: bus routes 3, 10, 22, 24.
PARKING: Street Parking; California Pacific Medical Center Garage on Clay at Webster
"As I've been reviewing the B minor Mass of J S Bach, my jaw has once again been dropping. This music is like no other. The astonishing and I mean ASTONISHING craft of this composer is just breathtaking. It is not easy but there is a lifetime reward for mastering a score like this."
—Maestro Bob Geary
Here are some fun facts about Johann Sebastian Bach's Mass in B minor:
Composition
Bach composed the Mass in B minor between 1748 and 1749, a year before his death in 1750.
Structure
The Mass in B minor is structured into four parts: Missa, Symbolum Nicenum, Sanctus, and Osanna, Benedictus, Agnus Dei et Dona nobis pacem.
Sources
Much of the Mass in B minor is made up of existing music, including the Kyrie and Gloria, which were written in 1733, and the Sanctus, which dates back to 1724.
Purpose
Bach composed the Mass in B minor as a legacy to show his talents and experience in choral writing and counterpoint.
Scale
The Mass in B minor is a complex work with 26 sections, written in a variety of styles and based on different melodic material.
Difficulty
The Mass in B minor is considered one of the most difficult choir works ever written, with a high range and fast notes.
Performance
The Mass in B minor is too long to be performed in its entirety in a church service, but it was performed in parts over the years.