Cocktail Party Fact: The Mass in B Minor has been called one of the greatest resumes ever written. Bach sent two sections of it to the ruler of Saxony because he wanted a court appointment. He got the job.

Commitment Factor: About two and a half hours.

Vital Statistics: High Baroque Period (1740). This is probably the longest and most elaborate musical setting of the Latin Mass in the repertoire. The B Minor mass contains 15 choruses, 6 arias, and 3 duets

What to Listen For: The Mass in B Minor is an anthology of Baroque musical craftsmanship. The choruses are magnificent examples of Baroque choral writing and the rest of the mass is a parade of beautifully orchestrated arias and duets. Notice how Bach provides a carefully selected instrumental accompaniment for every section. Most of the arias and duets are accompanied by obbligatos — elaborate parts for one or two instruments. The Mass includes obbligatos for flute, violin, oboe, and horn, and each obbligato colors the text with an appropriate mood. The arias and duets are all accompanied, in addition, by good examples of the art of the continuo — the Baroque accompaniment performed by a bass instrument such as the cello and a keyboard instrument such as the harpsichord. The bass instrument plays a bass line and the keyboard instrument creates harmonies and adds special effects. Every section of the Mass in B Minor resembles an animated mosaic. Wherever you look, you’ll find something is going on.