Concert halls are only one among many types of venue for musicking around the world, and I find many purpose-built modern halls uninspiring and impersonal. But among the many delights of Barcelona, the Palau de la Música Catalana (1905) is one of the most magical buildings (see this fine introduction). Concerts there are always special.

In 1991, among the countless performances commemorating the 200th anniversary of Mozart’s death, we performed the Requiem and the C minor Mass with John Eliot Gardiner and the amazing Monteverdi Choir (singing from memory!):

In the latter, note Anne Sofie von Otter in Laudamus te (from 10.41); and the Et incarnatus est (from 36.57) is gorgeous, culminating in Barbara Bonney’s cadenza with the wind soloists from 42.55.

For a different kind of magical musicking from Barcelona, note The magic of the voice and sequel. And for a linguistic fantasy, see here.

See also A Mozart medley; and for the EBS fixer’s message inviting me to take part, click here.