DAILY DOSE of BEETHOVEN (May 24, 2020)
Words can scarcely capture what takes place in the Sanctus of Beethoven's Missa Solemnis.
As in his Mass in C, the opening Sanctus is a hushed and reverential Adagio, in contrast to most triumphant settings. The angels are not shouting from the heavens, they are whispering, in amazement. Frederic Chopin once said, "astounding news can be shouted from the rooftops, or whispered in the ear! It is still astounding news."
The recording offered here, comes from a very special occasion. The WWII bombing of Dresden by the allies, was brutal, and destroyed the Lutheran Frauenkirche (Church of our Lady). The Communists left it as a pile of rubble—as a monument to the evils of capitalism. Reconstruction began in 1990 after the fall of the Berlin Wall. This performance consecrated the re-opening of the church in 2005.
The opening single word Sanctus, which is first sung at 1:11, is a variation on the opening of the previous movement, on the single word Credo. (We believe). Everything is opposite to tradition! It is Adagio, hushed, and sung at first by soloists, not choir.
Like the Mass in C, it follows with a “forte, allegro” section, on the words, Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Like the Mass in C, it follows with a “fugue” on the words, Osanna in excelsis at 3:44. So far everything follows the map of the Mass in C, though in much greater detail and richness.
At 4:14, Beethoven breaks with all previous tradition, though in a way that "fulfills the law, rather than overthrow it." There is now, a huge gap between God in the highest, and man. How does one bridge that gap?
This begins a Preludium, or Prelude to the Benedictus, that lasts for 34 measures. While striving to reach up, it constantly sinks, by half-tones. We gain the image that humanity cannot make it on its own. We require a gift, from a higher power, something outside of ourselves.
That divine outside intervention, takes place at 6:22, when a solo violin and flutes, start in the stratosphere, and descend, gently, to earth.
Is this a gift, from a higher power, that originates outside of us? Or, is it us summoning, that which already resides deep within each and every one of us? Or is it both?
The word “enthusiasm”, derives from the Greek The God within you. When we are listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit, we are enthusiastic. When we are pessimistic, we have barred that Spirit, even blasphemed against it. This idea is not uniquely Christian. It exists in every human culture.
The solo violin is often said to represent the Holy Spirit. We believe that is true. It floats above, beneath, inside, and outside of the human voices. Take it out, and the music would survive. It would be OK. The solo violin is not part of a four-voiced texture. It defines everything from both within, and without. It is sublime, and it persists! The simple words: Benedictus qui venit in Nomine Domine. Are repeated again and again. Why? Beethoven knows that repeating the words is not enough. He wants to let let it sink into everyone's heart. To do that, it has to be different each time! it has to grow and grow. Benedictus in nomine Domine is repeated many times, but always at a higher level.
Beethoven will not give up on your soul!
That constant change is driven by the Holy Spirit, as embodied in the solo violin. The change would not work without that divine guidance. Again, it is a religious notion, but again, it is not. It is the birth-rite of every human being.
At 14:28 the Hosanna fugue reappears, as required by the text. This time though, it does not end the movement. After a pause, the solo violin steps forth, and the movement ends with "Benedictus".
Beautiful!