B Minor Mass, BWV 232

Completed in the final years of his life, the B Minor Mass is both a masterpiece and an enigma in Bach’s towering body of work. The B Minor Mass is both a masterpiece and an enigma in Bach’s towering body of work. Completed in the final years of his life, it represents a summary of his vast musical knowledge and skill. There is ongoing debate about why the greatest protestant composer would choose to set a Catholic mass. At two hours in length, there was no liturgical service suitable for performance, adding to the mystery. What is known is that the B Minor Mass contains some of the most glorious, complex, and inspired writing ever to flow from Bach’s pen, standing as one of the greatest achievements in all of art.