Our Dream Concert
Composer Anniversaries 2025–2028
Any jubilee, whether a birthday or the anniversary of someone’s death or even a premiere, is always a great opportunity to spotlight a particular work. We asked around at Carus to find out what our colleagues would like to play and sing in their choirs in the coming years. Perhaps you can borrow one or two of their ideas!
200th anniversary of Schubert’s death in 2028
„Glo – ria! Glo – ria!“ – There’s certain music that immediately pops into my head, even after years, simply when I read a title. But was Schubert’s Mass in A-flat major really written to celebrate Holy Mass or was the composer already setting his sights on the concert hall? As an alto, this work is both a challenge and a joy. It’s definitely unique among Schubert’s Mass settings. With my current choir, I would love to test whether I can still remember the entire alto part of the Gloria – over 500 bars long! I last performed it with my university choir 16 years ago.
In 2028, Marit Ketelsen, well known to our sheet music retailers as Head of Sales, would like to have another go at Schubert’s Mass in A flat major (D 678) (Carus 40.659).
200th anniversary of Beethoven’s death in 2027
He overlooks Bonn’s main square, the Münsterplatz, observing the hustle and bustle of the city’s market. As a student, I used to walk past him in the morning on my way to university. He weighs 3.4 tons, our “Saint Ludwig of Bonn” – the name given to him by my professor of music theory, for whom the late string quartets were the greatest thing ever. Beethoven himself regarded the Missa solemnis as his masterpiece. As a singer, this monumental Mass provides the ultimate choral experience – and an incredible challenge. But those who take it on are richly rewarded. Beethoven’s inscription reads: “From the heart – may it return to the heart” – Yay!
Dr. Reiner Leister from our sales team would like to hear the Missa solemnis in 2027 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s death (Carus 40.689).
200th anniversary of Weber’s death in 2026
Although I’m a flautist rather than a choral singer, I still love the vocal music of Weber, in particular his Missa sancta No. 2 (the “Jubelmesse”), recently published by Carus. Much to my chagrin, Weber composed almost nothing for flute. But his clarinet concertos display an acute sensitivity for woodwinds. And I’m also moved by the beautiful motifs and melodies in his Jubelmesse. My fingers are just itching to get involved! Incidentally, the Mass is fairly easy to perform, and can certainly be tackled by amateur choirs. Anyone looking for a flute player? ;-)
Marion Beyer from Marketing would like to hear the Missa sancta No. 2 (Carus 27.902) in 2026 to mark the 200th anniversary of Weber’s death.
Vivaldi’s 350th birthday in 2028
How often has Vivaldi’s Gloria passed through my hands at work! As Carus’s very first publication one of our bestsellers, the masterpiece is omnipresent in our marketing and communication activities. I’m proud that our edition has helped turn this multifaceted composition into Vivaldi’s most popular choral piece. As soon as I read the title, I can hear those unforgettably thrilling opening bars, which are still so fresh even after 300 years. How I would love to join in, especially to celebrate the 350th birthday of the great Baroque master in 2028!
Iris Pfeiffer, responsible for Marketing and Business Development, would like to hear Vivaldi’s Gloria (Carus 40.001/50).
Gottwald’s 100th birthday in 2025
Many years ago, I heard Gottwald’s transcriptions of Mahler’s Rückert-Lieder in an impressive performance by the World Youth Choir at the national conference of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). Even earlier I had been captivated by the skill with which Clytus Gottwald, who died recently, made orchestral works and solo songs accessible to vocal ensembles. A must for every a cappella choir!
In 2025, publisher Dr. Johannes Graulich would like to sing transcriptions by Gottwald to celebrate his 100th birthday.
Gustav Mahler / Clytus Gottwald
Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen
SWR Vokalensemble Stuttgart, conductor: Marcus Creed
Carus 83.370/00
Antonio Vivaldi: Gloria in D. Arrangiert for choir with one male voice
The Gloria in D is one of Vivaldi’s best-known sacred works. The arrangement of this masterpiece for choir SSAB by Christiane Rosiny is aimed at choirs with few men and youth choirs. With this edition, these choirs are ideally prepared for the Vivaldi anniversary in 2028.
Carl Maria von Weber: Missa sancta No. 1
Carl Maria von Weber wrote his Missa sancta no. 1 in E flat major in just two months, despite his heavy workload as Kapellmeister at the Dresden court. The work acquired the nickname “Freischütz Mass” because the composer interrupted work on his opera of the same name in January and February 1818 to compose the mass. Composed at an easy to medium level of difficulty, the mass is a great addition to the repertoire for the upcoming Weber anniversary in 2026.
Choral Collection Beethoven
The Choral Collection Beethoven contains 41 secular and sacred choral movements in a wide range of styles. Editor Jan Schumacher has created an indispensable resource with the Beethoven Choral Collection, particularly for amateur choirs, but the edition is also suitable for vocal ensembles and chamber choirs. Guaranteed enjoyment of Beethoven’s music well beyond every anniversary year.
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