Bach Choir of Pittsburgh: WAR

Our first concert of the season is a choral triptych that explores the effect of war and tragedy on society. Central to the performance is Joseph Haydn’s Mass in Time of War, one of the most popular of the fourteen Mass settings the composer wrote. Composed in 1796 as a response to the effect of the Napoleonic Wars on Austria, the dramatic use of tympani, especially in the Agnus Dei section, reflects the unsettled nature of life during war. Framing this monumental work are two pieces by Mohammed Fairouz: Anything Can Happen, which is performed partially in Arabic and depicts the anguish of the September 11th attacks, and The Second Coming, based on the poem by W. B. Yeats. Deeply moving and not to be missed!

In appreciation for their service, the Bach Choir is proud to offer free admission to these performances for Active-Duty Military, Veterans, and First Responders (including Police Officers, Firefighters, Paramedics, and Emergency Medical Technicians) – just show your affiliation ID at the box office.