The Mass in B Minor is one of Johann Sebastian Bach's most monumental works and represents a culmination and summation of his compositional prowess.

Completed in the last two years of his life yet drawing from twenty five years of work, he created a historically, musically, and spiritually cohesive work.  

Historically: It represents one of the last great examples of baroque sacred music, synthesizing multiple styles and techniques developed over centuries. Bach incorporated both "stile antico" (old style) and baroque techniques.

Musically: The mass demonstrates musical complexity while maintaining emotional depth. Bach used a myriad of compositional techniques from fugues, canons, double choruses, and creative orchestration while never compromising textual meaning.

Spiritually: Though Bach was Lutheran, the setting of this Catholic mass transcends denominational boundaries, demonstrating a universal expression of faith. The work captures Bach's deep theological understanding and skill to express spiritual concepts through music.

Pre-eminent Bach scholar Dr. Christoph Wolff sums up the importance of the last two works of J.S. Bach. “With a profusion of compositional techniques and stylistic approaches, the Art of Fugue and the B-minor Mass represent pinnacles of masterly craftsmanship, evincing extraordinary intellectual penetration of the material. Bach himself must have been fully aware of what he had achieved, in these two works, which so brilliantly enshrine his “artistic credo.” 

Or perhaps, as we listen to this masterpiece, we simply need to think of what Bach himself scribed at the end of many of his works, “Soli Deo Gloria.” 

—John V. Sinclair