What is glagolitic mass?

The Glagolitic Mass is a musical composition written by Czech composer Leoš Janáček in the early 1920s. It's a setting of the Catholic mass, using the Glagolitic script, which is a script used for the Old Slavonic language. This composition is considered one of the most important works of the 20th century, even though it rarely appears in concert programs.

The Glagolitic Mass has ten movements and is written for a large orchestra, an organ, and a choir. Janáček used a polyphonic style and a wide variety of singing techniques, including Czech folk music. The work is characterized by its rhythmic vitality, technical complexity, and emotional intensity.

The premiere of the Glagolitic Mass took place in 1927 in Brno, Czech Republic, with the composer conducting. It was a great success, and the mass was performed in various cities of Europe. Nowadays, it’s a landmark in choral and orchestral music and admired by musicians worldwide.