Missa in honorem Sancti Andreae

It was in 1962 that I composed my first mass, at the instigation of my wife who pointed out to me that no mass had yet appeared among my numerous works.

It was written somewhat “clandestinely” because, at that time, in communist Hungary, it was not recommended to compose religious works. Not intended for any specific choir, I composed this mass very freely, letting my emotions speak and I dedicated it to my son András.

It was performed for the first time in Balatonakarattya by the Piarist Gymnasium Choir, under the direction of Lajos Maklari. The original version only had an accompanying organ which, for the occasion, was replaced by a simple harmonium. In 1968, Laszlo Bucsi, choir director of the Franciscan Church of Budapest, included my mass in his program and it was for this performance that I orchestrated it. — Ferenc Farkas