A Christmas Mass from Classical-Era Czechia

 

Actually, two!

Mass is actually a misnomer in this case, for the actual words of the Mass are not utilized in Ryba's Czech Christmas Mass. Instead, it tells the story of the Holy Birth, not in Latin, but in the composer's home language.

The accompanying Missa Pastoralis uses more of the Mass text, but intersperses it alongside the Christmas Story.

I say all of this with some reticence, since the sung texts are not included in the physical media, so I am going on what I hear in the recording and what information the liner notes provide.

If we are comparing Ryba to his contemporaries Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven, expect to be disappointed. Ryba is obviously composing for amateur performers, as well as a general audience, so deep this music is not. Also, the composer tends to repeat musical ideas at least twice, sometimes four times, and its effect is felt after a while. This music is not bad; rather, I think it is just simple.

This performance from the Czech Madrigalists and its orchestra are provincial sounding, but since this music is meant for the masses, their abilities actually adds to its charm. Just don't expect the finest nor tightest orchestral sound. The singing is generally good and the pipe organ provides a nice texture and character throughout.

There are significant portions for solo voices, and that is the high point of this recording in comparison to others. Slavic voices can be laden with heavy, slow vibrato, as well as a darkened tone, but these four soloists are clear, ringing, and overall quite pleasing.

The other comparative aspect is the presence of two substantial pretty works here on Naxos, where others offer little as extras. That said, for those who want to hear this work at its best, Václav Smetáček has the better orchestra and choir, but that recording bears a very short runtime.

If interested in the Naxos recording, realize there have been many issues of this same recording. I have tried to post the cover images throughout this post, to show which ones are the same. Oddly, I think each have the same barcode; it is rather strange for Naxos to have such differing cover styles.

So, what to think of not-too-great compositions with not-too-great performers? Actually, I am quite charmed by the whole thing. I just won't try to pull the wool over anyone's eyes and say this is the best thing since sliced cheese. After hearing this music, I may visit some of his other Masses, those recorded by Jiří Bělohlávek.

Listen on YouTube

Works
Czech Christmas Mass (40.35)
Missa Pastoralis (13.13)

Soloists
Dagmar Vaňkátová, soprano
Pavla Kšicová, contralto
Vladimír Doležal, tenor
Václav Sibera, bass

Performers
Josef Kšica, organ
Czech Madrigalists
Czech Madrigalists Orchestra
František Xaver Thuri, conductor

Label: Naxos
Year: 1998
Total Timing: 54.39

 

 

Ryba's Czech Christmas Mass has gained a strong following on record, and I am not sure why. It isn't the most inventive work, and this recording doesn't feature the finest of performances.

Yet I am charmed by this music and these performers all the same.