Haydn’s Mass in Time of War and Rutter’s Magnificat to be performed at UCH, this Saturday November 29.
As the season of Advent begins, Limerick Choral Union will present an evening of music at University Concert Hall on Saturday, 29 November, at 8 p.m.
Entitled Peace on Earth, the concert features two famous works that span centuries yet share the same message: a longing for world peace.
The programme pairs Joseph Haydn’s dramatic Mass in Time of War (Missa in Tempore Belli) with John Rutter’s wonderful Magnificat, taking audiences on a musical journey from fear and uncertainty to joy and hope — a fitting reflection of the spirit of Christmas.
Composed in 1796, Haydn’s mass is rooted in the political turmoil of its time. As Napoleon’s armies advanced across Europe, Haydn is said to have heard the distant sound of cannon fire on the outskirts of Vienna.
That ominous rumble found its way into his music in the form of thunderous timpani — especially haunting in the Agnus Dei, where the plea for peace (“Dona nobis pacem”) is marked by martial rhythms, making it one of Haydn’s most powerful sacred works — emotionally charged and beautifully uplifting.
In contrast, John Rutter’s Magnificat, composed nearly two centuries later in 1990, is a vibrant and joyful setting of the Virgin Mary’s song of praise from the Gospel of Luke. Full of rhythm, rich harmonies, and lyrical beauty, Magnificat celebrates humility and hope. Rutter also weaves in the English carol Of a Rose, a Lovely Rose, adding a touch of seasonal festivity.
Together, these two masterworks reflect the tension and joyful release — the shadow and wonderful light — that define the Christmas story itself. Peace on Earth is more than a concert: it is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, our spirit continues to look for hope, joy, and peace.
Conducted by Malcolm Green, with full orchestra and soloists, the performance promises to be a highlight of Limerick’s Christmas calendar.
Tickets are available from the University Concert Hall box office or online at www.uch.ie.