Koor en Orkest Collegium Vocale Gent olv. Philippe Herreweghe

Being aware of his historical position, during the final decade of his life 'der alte Bach' liked to contemplate both past and future. He deliberately put 'definitive' versions of his greatest works down on paper so as to preserve them for posterity. But he also concentrated for one last time on the genre that was very close to his heart, as in 'Die Kunst der Fuge'. And he also worked on a grand, all-encompassing mass, composed partly of cantatas he had written earlier and partly of new material. This 'Hohe Messe' inimitably summarises two centuries of church music. Passages in strict, archaic counterpoint are heard alongside the most modern, even galant arias. Who better to do justice to this compendium of baroque music than Philippe Herreweghe and his Collegium Vocale Ghent?