Not Strictly Liturgical

Janacek's Glagolitic Mass is a unique piece. It follows something of a traditional liturgical pattern but isn't designed for any denominational church service, rather being a celebration of nature and all creation with pagan and folk influences buried in the music. It is most definitely a piece for the concert hall and requires large forces. This performance is by the London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas. There are long instrumental stretches and a prominent organ part, played here by John Scott, and parts for four solo singers. The mass was written in Janacek's productive twilight years as was the accompanying piece on the disk, the Sinfonietta. This is a famous orchestral showpiece, much more often performed than the mass and sharing the same brass heavy orchestration.