Experience one of the most powerful sacred works of the 20th century.
Saturday, April 25, 2026 · 7:00 PM
First Church in Cambridge, 11 Garden Street
Chorus pro Musica joins forces with the New England Philharmonic Orchestra for a monumental performance of Krzysztof Penderecki’s Credo—a Grammy Award-winning masterpiece that fuses romantic lyricism with modern intensity.
About the Work
Completed in 1998, Penderecki’s Credo is a large-scale setting of the Nicene Creed for soloists, children’s choir, mixed chorus, and full orchestra. The work weaves together Latin liturgical text with Polish hymns and German chorales, creating a tapestry of faith that spans centuries of sacred music tradition.
The world premiere recording won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance—a testament to the work’s extraordinary emotional and artistic impact.
Program Highlights
- Seven movements tracing the arc of Christian belief
- Powerful orchestral forces paired with massed choral voices
- Intimate solo passages of striking beauty
- The dramatic Crucifixus interwoven with Polish sacred songs
- A triumphant Et resurrexit affirming hope and transcendence
About the Venue
First Church in Cambridge traces its roots to 1636, making it one of the oldest congregations in Massachusetts. The current Gothic Revival building, completed in 1871, features stunning stained glass windows by Louis Comfort Tiffany, a gilded apse dome, and a polygonal vaulted ceiling. With excellent acoustics and seating for 450–500, this historic sanctuary—just two blocks from Harvard Yard—provides an ideal setting for Penderecki’s monumental work.