A joyful rendering of a solemn Mass

Young Chang

Trace the international path of a musical score once thought to be

lost, consider that it’s being performed at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian

Church, and it’s clear why the West Coast premiere of Hector Berlioz’s

“Messe Solennelle” is a big deal.

Composed by Berlioz in the early 1820s, the Mass is one of the

musician’s earliest works, one that hints at pieces to come, such as “Te

Deum,” which makes even more sense in retrospect for contemporary

conductors.

“The Mass is of great musical importance because [Berlioz] had been

studying for a little more than a year,” said Larry Ball, minister of

music and worship at St. Andrew’s. “The Mass is the earliest large-scale

work by Berlioz to have survived.”

The St. Andrew’s Sanctuary Choir and California Master Chorale will

perform “Messe Solennelle” on Sunday at the Newport Beach church,

accompanied by soprano Julianna Di Giacomo, tenor Robert MacNeil and bass

Louis Lebherz.

“This is a big deal because it’s only been sung in America one time,

by the Boston Symphony and the Boston Symphony Chorus,” said Ball, who is

conductor of the California Master and a professor of music at

Santiago Canyon College in Orange.

“It has not been presented east of the East Coast. I just call it an

American West Coast premiere.”

Ball said “Messe Solennelle,” which means “Mass Solemn,” was

rediscovered in 1991 in Antwerp, Belgium. There have been a few European

performances of the work and recently a recorded performance, but it’s a

newcomer to the ranks of classical greats.

“As a musician, I try to make myself aware of major scholarship that

goes on in the world,” Ball said.

Lebherz, the principal dramatic bass for the Los Angeles Opera and an

international performer, said the Mass is an “interesting piece of

music.”

“It’s a very young piece of music, and in it one can hear some of the

genius of Hector Berlioz,” said Lebherz, who is director of music at

Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Pacific Palisades.

With 14 sections, the work was composed for a massive chorus, a full

orchestra and three soloists. The group at St. Andrew’s will total to 185

singers.

The piece is based on five movements of what Ball says is the ordinary

of the mass: Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus and Agnus Dei.

But technicalities aside, the conductor and his singers are most

excited with the Mass’ rare and new stature.

“The goal is to present the finest chorale and orchestral music to the

harbor area,” Ball said. “And to be able to present these pieces for this

area is really a great honor.”

FYI

* What: The West Coast premiere of Hector Berlioz’s “Messe Solennelle”

* When: 4 p.m. Sunday

* Where: St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 600 St. Andrew’s Road,

Newport Beach

* Cost: $8

* Information: (949) 574-2231