A rare opportunity to hear a classic work performed by young professionals of the first rank is on offer from St Albans Chamber Choir next Saturday, November 28.

The choir will be performing Bach’s Mass in B minor, arguably his greatest masterpiece, at 7.30pm in St Saviour’s Church, St Albans.

The choral setting of the Latin Mass, scored for four soloists and a chorus dividing into up to eight parts, is something of an enigma. Written over a long period and probably never performed in its entirety in the composer’s lifetime, it is hard to know what prompted the Lutheran Protestant Bach to produce such a large-scale setting of the Roman Catholic Mass.

Conductor John Gibbons, said: “But what cannot be doubted is Bach’s great sensitivity to the text, and his technical brilliance in melding a mosaic of musical styles, idioms and devices into a work of singular breadth and magnificence. I believe it is one of the most fervent musical expressions of man’s devotion to his God.”

The soloists are all members of Amici Voices, a young professional consort group specialising in authentic one-per-part performance of Bach’s sacred works. They will be accompanied by the Lawes Baroque Players, an instrumental consort that includes many top early music specialists, led by Miles Golding.

Tickets are £20 reserved, £15 unreserved and £5 for children and full-time students, available in advance by calling the ticket line 07570 454744, emailing tickets@stalbanschamberchoir.org.uk or online here.