George Guest, David Willcocks, The Choir of King's College, Tne Choir of St John's College - Joseph Haydn: Masses (1997)
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 707 Mb | Total time: 141:19 | Scans included
Classical | Label: Decca | # 455 020-2 | Recorded: 1962-1977
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 707 Mb | Total time: 141:19 | Scans included
Classical | Label: Decca | # 455 020-2 | Recorded: 1962-1977
Haydn’s Masses form an extremely significant part of his huge output, just as important as the symphonies and string quartets. His very first work seems to have been the little Mass in F, and the last piece he completed was the great ‘Harmoniemesse’. As with the symphonies, it is the final group that are the finest; six major masterpieces, which show Haydn at his most creatively fertile. Indeed, it seems clear that his London experience greatly enriched Haydn’s mass composition in his late years; the approach is ‘symphonic’, often with elements of sonata-form, and the orchestra is used with striking resourcefulness. There is absolutely nothing formulaic in these works; he has clearly set about each mass with a fresh mind and a fresh response to the text.