The titanic Missa Solemnis comes from Beethoven’s late period, composed at around the same time as the 9th Symphony. He himself wrote that it was ‘the greatest work I have composed so far’, and it stands as one of the most powerful and universal choral works of all time. Beethoven’s writing gives no quarter to singers or orchestra, but scales dramatic heights that few concert experiences can match.

We welcome the RLPO back to Huddersfield after several years’ absence – and it was with them that the Choral last performed this work (2011) to rapturous receptions in both Huddersfield and Liverpool.