Haydn - Great Organ Mass · St. Cecilia Mass · Missa Sancti Nicolai · Missa Brevis / Nelson · Kirkby · Watkinson · Hill · Thomas · AAM · Hogwood

THis Mass of Haydn is less performed than some of this other masses, and this is a good interpretation. Very happy with this CD and performance

The "Missa in honorem Beatissimae Virginis Mariae" or the "Great Organ Mass" (ahem, written when Haydn was in his late thirties) is certainly the star attraction here and it is a masterpiece from Haydn's middle years. It is beautifully performed here, the singers are just excellent, especially Judith Nelson and David Thomas, but all of them are great. The vocal writing is masterful, especially in the Gloria and the Credo. The trebles of Oxford Christ Church Cathedral sound angelic as usual. I have to disagree with the other reviewer, I think the choir's entrances are done to great effect and nicely balanced. Perhaps there's something wrong with his stereo. I have the original issue of this (one CD) so perhaps it was remixed badly? Nevertheless, highly recommended without reservation.

Great church music recorded by aam without Hogwood but Simon Preston is always another great director. Still my pick, the aam on authetic instuments. And after Hogwood passing ( R.I.P) the academy is still around. And so is my favourite classical singer ( now Dame ) Emma Kirkby. Alot of old recordings but still the best. Thanks to you all for the joy you have given listeners like me. They are a great gem. Try them you will here great music !!

The Masses were wonderful to listen to with the added joy of listening to pure soprano voices. The only problem was that I actually wanted to order the "Nelson Mass" by Haydn and due to a misunderstanding on my part, I thought that I was. It turned out that one of the soloists had the surname of Nelson, so I ended up with this CD instead. No matter. The music is beautiful. However, it may be better to advertise the Masses with a little more detail in the heading, e.g. the actual names of the Masses. rather than just "Haydn Masses".

Haydn's choral music should really be given more prominence, as so often attention is focussed on the greats of Mozart and Vivaldi. An outstanding package at an exceptional price. The quality of these recordings is really unbeatable, you really can't go wrong with these double CD masterpieces from Decca. I have never been disappointed with them. The calibre of the choirs and their solists is impeccable. Highly recommended.

Il doppio cd contiene alcune delle messe forse meno note di Haydn ma non per questo inferiori alle altre, anzi la missa Sanctae Caeciliae vale da sola l'acquisto. Ottimi gli esecutori. Corretto e puntuale il venditore.

Ce double-album regroupe quatre des six premières messes de Haydn : la n°1 "Missa brevis" en fa majeur (1749), la n°4 "Missa in honorem Beatissimae Virginis Maria" (1768-69), la vaste n°5 "Missa Cellencis in honorem Beatissimae Virginis Mariae" (dite aussi « Sainte-Cécile », 1766) et la n°6 "Missa Sancti Nicolai" (1772).Manquent ainsi à ce panorama la n°2 "Sunt bona mixta malis" de 1768-70 (certes fragmentaire) et surtout la n°3 "Rorate coeli desuper", celle-ci ayant été enregistrée par les interprètes que nous entendons ici mais non incluse dans ces deux disques déjà remplis comme un oeuf.Cette version utilise les partitions originales, l'Academy of Ancient Music apporte l'inimitable patine des instruments d'époque, les choeurs de la Christ Church Cathedral d'Oxford sont une source permanente de béatitude, et la maîtrise d'oeuvre de Simon Preston est constamment touchée par la grâce.Les voix d'enfants des petits chanteurs anglais, admirables de justesse et de tenue jusque dans les registres les plus périlleux, inondent toutes ces pages d'une lumière immaculée. D'autant que les prises de son, exceptionnelles, manifestent un équilibre idéal entre netteté et réverbération.Au sommet : une "Sancti Nicolai" paradisiaque de bout en bout, jusque dans les redoutables envolées du « Glorificamus Te » qui vous clouent au fauteuil.

Ce Cd présente plusieurs messes d'intérêt inégal. La messe de Sainte Cécile H XXII 5 est une magnifique messe-opéra dont émane une certaine magnificence. Le « Qui tollis », solennel, puissant, parfaitement équilibré, recueilli me fait penser à Mozart . La direction de Hogwood est parfaite. Dans le « Quoniam », Judith Nelson et sa voix de cristal nous ravit . Et Martyn Hill dans « Incarnatus est » est un très beau ténor. A noter aussi les chœur d'enfants transparents de douceur, sublimes. L' « Agnus dei « » de la messe de Saint Nicolas H XXII 6 est poignant , douloureux et en mot sublime. En résumé, quatre messes qui font mieux connaître la musique sacrée de Joseph Haydn, laquelle reste, à mon avis, à son sommet cependant avec « Les sept dernières paroles du Christ sur la Croix », que ce soit en version chorale, quatuor, orchestrale ou piano solo avec Pietro Galli.