20th Century Masterwork: Frank Martin’s Double Choir Mass, The Cathedral of Christ the Light, Harrison Street, Oakland, CA, USA, 27 June 2026

$20th Century Masterwork: Frank Martin\u2019s Double Choir Mass$

Ensemble Continuo returns to Oakland Cathedral with Frank Martin's rarely performed double choir mass and motets by Bruckner and Palestrina
About this Event

Join Ensemble Continuo for a rare performance of Frank Martin’s Mass for Double Choir. Kept hidden in the composer’s drawer for over forty years, this deeply personal a cappella masterpiece is now celebrated for its emotional depth, luminous harmonies, and thrilling sonic architecture. Experience the rich, resonant dialogue of two distinct choirs weaving together in one of the 20th century's most profound and immersive choral works.

Ensemble Continuo is a classical chamber choir based in Palo Alto, California, founded in 2023. In 2025, Ensemble Continuo was named Choir in Residence at All Saints' Episcopal Church in Palo Alto. Performances of the Requiems by Brahms and Duruflé as well as motet programs have brought the choir to the Summer Sacred Music Series at Stanford Memorial Church, the International Performing Arts of America Festival at California Theater in San Jose, and the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland. In June 2025, the choir embarked on its first tour to perform works by Poulenc and Bernstein at Chicago's Holy Name Cathedral. The choir can be found at ensemble-continuo.com

Founder and musical director of Ensemble Continuo, Christopher Pluntke, graduated from the Hochschule für Musik Würzburg in 2007 and has 25 years of experience leading vocal ensembles, period instrument groups, and performing as organist, pianist and continuo player. After obtaining his PhD at UCL, he moved to the Bay Area, where he has been active as conductor, pianist, and organist. He has served as music director and organist at All Saints' Episcopal Church in Palo Alto since January 2025.