Fall 2023
Mass in D Major, Op 86
by Antonin Dvorak
When: Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 4:00pm
Where: Lois Perkins Chapel at Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas
Who: San Gabriel Chorale under the direction of Dr. Bruce Cain
Tickets: $25 adults, Students Free with Southwestern University ID
Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904) was a renowned Czech composer of the Romantic era, known for his symphonies, chamber music and operas. Perhaps best known in America for his Symphony #9 in E minor more commonly known as the New World Symphony, Dvorak also composed a number of sacred choral works. The Mass in D Major, Op. 86, was originally composed in 1887 for solo voices, chorus and organ. This mass is one of Dvorak’s major liturgical works and is sometimes referred to as the “Luzany Mass,” named after the estate of the individual who commissioned the piece. It was first performed publicly in 1893 in London.
The Mass in D Major showcases Dvorak’s ability to blend traditional liturgical forms with his own lyrical and harmonic language. This piece is a great example of his devotion to both his deep faith and his national heritage, as he often incorporated elements of Czech folk music into his compositions.
