Missa in Epiphania Domini

"Missa in Epiphania Domini" for vocal soloists, mixed choir and orchestra was written in 1957 and premiered the same year at the Palau de la Música, when the composer was at the very young age of only 24. He was greatly applauded according to an article by Oriol Martorell in El Correo Catalán on 22 March 1957. According to O. Martorell, Bonet reaffirmed his promising musical temperament, which the composer had previously revealed, and marked the premiere as an authentic apotheosis in the same article.

This article emphasized the original and pioneering nature of combining traditional elements with modern ones, such as the Gregorian melodies, on the one hand, and the influences of Igor Stravinsky, especially as regards rhythmic elements, on the other.

According to Martorell, this very sincere composition was a means in which the composer sought to connect liturgical text and musical elements.

The eminent composer Eduard Toldrà also attended the premiere. He was just as impressed by the Missa, and described it as the most important score in the Catalan music of that time.

Darius Milhaud, who was equally enthusiastic about the work, immediately recommended it for the composition award of the Copley Foundation in Chicago, which Bonet received in 1958.