The Prescott Chorale, Prescott’s premier choral ensemble, returns to the sanctuary of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 2000 Shepherds Lane, at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 22, to present its last concert of the season: Beethoven’s “Bold, Brash and Beautiful” Mass in C Major.

The performance opens with a pre-talk by Maestro Dennis Houser followed by the presentation and concert.

This work was composed at a time during the Age of Enlightenment when the Catholic Mass was becoming less constrained by its liturgical foundations and more the vehicle for expanded musical expression.

Beethoven’s somewhat brash personality found a comfortable release in stretching the envelope long established by his teacher, Franz Joseph Haydn. Upon completing the work, he commented, “I believe I have treated the text as it has never been treated before.”

It is worth noting that simultaneously with composing the Mass, Beethoven was also working on his Symphony No. 5, which seems to have had a remarkable influence on the final work, according to a news release.

The first performance of the Mass was not well received. The Hungarian prince who had commissioned the work and other critics of the day felt that the departure from the conventional was too great. Unique harmonic treatments, frequent key changes and the use of a solo quartet instead of the traditional arias were not easy to accept at the time.

Today, the Mass is appreciated by critics but is among the least often performed of Beethoven’s major works, making the Chorale’s performance a rare treat for Prescott attendees, the release stated.

Saturday’s concert will feature 41 voices of the Prescott Chorale in the chorus and soloists Emily Spencer, soprano; Mary Bowers, mezzo-soprano; Chad Millar, tenor; Darrell Rowader, bass; and Mark Achuff, accompanist.

Opening the concert will be a presentation of the three winners of this year’s Prescott Chorale Young Artist Competition. Over the past five years, the Chorale has awarded monetary prizes ranging from one to three thousand dollars to 15 vocal students, allowing them to continue their studies at the college or university of their choice. This year’s winners have been selected from more than 20 contestants.

Seating is all general admission. Tickets may be purchased at the door or via the website, www.prescottchorale.com/concerts. Prices are $25 for adults, $5 for students, and free for those younger than 12. When purchasing via the website, you will be redirected to the box office at The Jim & Linda Lee Performing Arts Center to complete the purchase.

Information provided by Prescott Chorale.