I don't think a complete set of any music would ever be perfect. Certainly Chandos' edition of Haydn's Complete Masses isn't.
But what these 8CDs do provide are consistent performances of Haydn's Masses and assorted choral music with same orchestra, chorus and conductor throughout.
I really like the Collegium Musicum 90 choir's incisive approach, applied consistently to each Mass. The period orchestra is much the same, although I don't generally care for the period-instrument sound style.
Yet, since these aspects are applied ad nauseam to each work, Hickox's performances can seem a tad faceless; one might even call them a bit cold or sterile. But, as a set, I hold onto these performances, for there are so few sets of Haydn's Masses with the same performers. This program also includes such wonderful items as Haydn's two Te Deum settings and some incidental music with voice, extras worth saving.
A review from 2024
For all of Haydn’s Masses, Hob. XXII:1-14, Richard Hickox and the Collegium Musicum 90 are probably still the easiest way to get it all, plus bonus sacred choral music with orchestra.
Recorded between 1995-2001, the British conductor and his period orchestra were one of the first to collect all of Haydn’s Masses together, both the important late masses and the early, sometimes incomplete ones. To date, it still remains one of very few sets with the same performers and conductor.
On the positive side, this chorus is very sensitive to text inflection, where they sing each phrase musically and full of interest. The performers have a lively, buoyant quality about them, yet nothing is ever hard driven nor undercooked. Nine British adult vocal soloists were employed over the years while setting these down; they are not huge voices, but employ vibrato and are much fuller than ‘pure’ voiced trebles. Many extras have been included in this set as well - two Te Deum settings, incidental music excerpts, an Ave Regina, one Salve Regina, and an alternative version to the Creation Mass.
Aspects that aren’t to my particular tastes begin with the period orchestra, where I would prefer modern instruments. The strings are a little steely and the natural horns give that congested sound. There is a general sense of sameness across the 8CDs; this is great for consistency amongst all of these works, but at the same time, nothing special leaps out in any particular performance either, especially when it comes to the more popular late masses, where differing personality might give these works an edge.
Of the many sets of Haydn Masses, The NY Trinity Choir on Naxos is probably the most similar to that from Chandos. A Baroque period orchestra is utilized with an adult chorus, although the conductor changes at some point, the soloists are a little lighter, and there is little in the way of extras, if that is important. Naxos also does away with XXII: 2-3, early Haydn Masses, so not truly complete.
Otherwise, there is a tried and true set of Masses on Decca with boy trebles under Willcocks, Preston, and Guest, and another on Decca with Preston and Guest, but with the late Masses under the more driven Gardiner, plus Harnoncourt led some of the late masses spiritedly on Teldec , both of whom use adult choirs. Bruno Weil has another incomplete set on Sony with boy trebles, which is not to my tastes.
Of course, famous individual recordings from Bernstein, Jochum, Kubelik, Rilling, and an almost complete set of late Masses from Sir Neville Marriner on two Gemini EMI releases ( Purple & Pink ) are wonderful for those of us who enjoy modern instrument orchestras.
This is all to say that I generally enjoy this Hickox set, with a few aspects that my ears adjust to in the end. I might have preferences for the late masses elsewhere, but for the early stuff and the many extras, I gladly hold onto this set of Haydn Masses, plus a consistent musical vision from Hickox and company.
Listen on YouTube
Soloists
Susan Gritton, soprano
Janice Watson, soprano
Nancy Argenta, soprano
Lorna Anderson, soprano
Catherine Denley, mezzo
Pamela Helen Stephen, mezzo
Louise Winter, mezzo
Mark Padmore, tenor
Stephen Varcoe, baritone
Performers
Ian Watson, organ
Collegium Musicum 90
Sir Richard Hickox, conductor
Label: Chandos
Year: 1995-2002; 2006
Total Timing: 8.31.10
The greatest aspect of this recording is its consistency across all of the works, and the incisive choral singing.
Add to that some rare choral extras, and this is a keeper, even if I might prefer other recordings in the individual Masses.
Perhaps I will do a work series for the individual entries in Hickox's series in the future.
Find more Haydn recordings HERE!
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