In concert with orchestra and organ, on Sunday, April 17, at 4 p.m. the Long Island Choral Society will perform Johan Sebastian Bach's great Mass in B Minor at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City. This work has been deemed by many musical scholars to be the worthiest musical interpretation of the Mass ever created.

The continuing vitality of Bach's composition lies in the music itself, with its intensity of expression, grandeur of design and technical perfection. The B Minor Mass is like a collection of cantatas through which both singers and listeners can begin to understand the central position Bach has in the history of music. Few other composers have achieved the balance of harmony and counterpoint, melody and polyphony that contributes to this work's greatness.

Soloists for this performance are soprano Jessica Tranzillo Smith, alto Alice Marie Nelson, tenor Douglas Perry and bass Donald Barnum. They and the chorus will be accompanied by an ensemble of musicians and the cathedral organ played by Henry DeVries, the Society's Artist-in-Residence this season. An open dress rehearsal is scheduled in the Cathedral on Saturday, April 16 at 1 p.m.

Ticket information may be obtained by calling (516) 658-5692. The Long Island Choral Society's website is www.lics.org.