A musical genius and his work...

Two hundred years ago, on April 6, 1824,  the Missa Solemnis in D major for four solo voices, chorus, and orchestra, Op. 123 by Ludwig van Beethoven (†1827) was performed.  The place was St. Petersburg, Russia.  Ludwig Beethoven never heard the work performed in his lifetime.  He had a piano and composition pupil who ended up becoming his illustrious patron: Archduke Rudolf of Austria (†1831), last-born child of Leopold II (brother of Emperor Francis I).  In deference to his support, the composer honor him by dedicating fifteen of his works to him, including this Missa Solemnis. 

The work was begun by Beethoven in 1819, supposedly for the episcopal consecration of the archduke (March 20, 1820), already a cardinal, who had been appointed archbishop of Olmütz in Moravia.  It ended up being a bigger task and was not finished until much later -- four years later. Beethoven, who never heard the complete performance, had labored over this composition at different times for some four years.  He had studied the sacred music of Palestrina (†1594), Händel (†1759), Bach (†1750), and Carl Philip Emanuel Bach (†1788) in preparation for this greatest of works.  He notes such in the score where in the dedication he hoped that “from the heart it can again reach the heart.”

Beethoven struggled to find money to finance his composition much less the time and inspiration to finish it.  In writing for financial aid to the Grand Duke of Hesse after the long ordeal he felt it would become the "most successful of all his productions. It is a “solemn mass” for four solo singers, choirs, and a large full orchestra, which can also be performed as an oratorio. The undersigned therefore expresses the desire to send a copy to Your Royal Highness and respectfully prays Your Royal Highness to deign to grant permission."  Interesting as well is his note justifying the fee for performance: “As for the Mass, which will soon be performed, the fee is 125 louis d’or. It’s pretty big work. But I must ask you to give me an answer on this matter within no more than a few weeks, otherwise I will lose out, since for all that time I will not be able to offer it to other publishers.”

Though some find this not quite a typical solemn mass and it is certainly not meant for sacred usage, it represents a milestone of the composer's art, from a man struggling with deafness and his own fight with God and for God.