Haydn's Great Masses

 

And the best from Marriner.

It is a shame Sir Neville never completed the full set of Haydn's late 'Great Masses', for the conductor's recordings are some of my favorites.

Of the two EMI Gemini sets, Purple & Pink (BLOG), this one is the best. First, this is a modern-instrument portrayal, where the Dresden orchestra and the Leipzig chorus are lovely throughout.

Plus, we get a host of fine solo singers, including Scottish soprano Margaret Marshall, who is always a treasure to find on record.

As a bit of an extra, Haydn's earlier Kleine Orgelmesse is a gem. Its intimate scope is a beauty, even if Barbara Hendricks may be too large voiced for the proceedings.

A review from 2024

Sir Neville Marriner nearly completed a cycle of Haydn’s late masses, possibly the composer’s finest expressions in the genre. Here we have Mass No. 9, 11, and 12, most notably the popular Nelson Mass, all paired with the divine Missa Brevis No. 7 known as the Kleine Orgelmesse. Mass 10 & 13 can be found on its partner EMI Gemini set, but Marriner unfortunately did not get to set down No. 14.

Marriner’s vision of Haydn’s Masses is sturdy and oaken, mainly stemming from the Staatskapelle Dresden, who here sound lovely on modern instruments in Haydn. Yet Marriner is not heavy or leaden; in many cases he brooks the big fugues at a swifter pace than his more modern HIP counterparts, and he generally leads toward strong emphasis and drama.

Much of the success comes from the Leipzig Radio Choir who are absolutely fabulous throughout. They give a mighty sound, equal parts powerful and tender, relishing in the extremes of Haydn’s musical directions, and EMI’s sonics place them satisfyingly forward.

There are a host of soloists across the four Masses, my favorite being Margaret Marshall, whose acidic soprano is much to my tastes. The others are large-voiced singers, all of whom may be too big for today’s Classical Era standards, but generally work well.

This might not be the final word in the famous Lord Nelson Mass, where there are scads of recordings available; but as a set, this recording is utterly successful, especially if you like Marriner’s forward-moving, modern instrument sound. As a bonus, the Small Organ Mass is a work of beautiful devotion and should be much better known.

 

Listen on YouTube

 

 

 

Works
Kleine Orgelmesse, Hob.XXII:7 (17.02)
Heiligmesse, Hob.XXII:10 (36.59)
Nelsonmesse, Hob.XXII:11 (40.04)
Theresienmesse, Hob.XXII:12 (41.30)

Soloists
Barbara Hendricks, soprano
Margaret Marshall, soprano
Carol Vaness, soprano
Doris Soffel, alto
Carolyn Watkinson, alto
Keith Lewis, tenor
Robert Holl, bass
Petteri Solomaa, bass

Performers
Leipzig Radio Choir
Staatskapelle Dresden
Sir Neville Marriner, conductor

Label: EMI / Warner
Year: 1987-90; 2005
Total Timing: 2.15.53

 

 

 

 

A great set by any measure!

Add to this three of Haydn's larger Mass settings plus the Small Organ Mass, and you have me hook, line, and sinker.

The German ensembles only increase the fine music making on hand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find more Haydn recordings HERE!