Messe De Minuit

Probably composed in 1690, the Messe de Minu t pour Noël, H 9, is perhaps Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s best-known composition after the Te Deum, H 146. The special appeal of this ‘Mass for theMidnight Service on Christmas Eve’ lies in its use of no fewer than ten traditional French carols while impressively revealing Charpentier’s mastery of the concertante style.

The eight solo vocalists (SSAATTBB) can easily betaken from the chorus. They are divided into three groups one group of two sopranos and two groups each comprising alto, tenor and bass which interact with the chorus and instruments. This new edition represents thecurrentstate of scholarship and offers a completely revised Urtext of Charpentier’s masterpiece.

• Urtext based on the latest scholarly research
• Straightforward and easy-to-play keyboardreduction
• Duration: approx. 25 minutes