Haydn: Missa Solemnis; Michael Haydn: Perfice gressus meos

What a joyous work is this Missa Solemnis, discovered in parts only in the year 2000 in the musical archives of the Benedictine Abbey in Ottobeuren and in the Statni oblasi library in Litomerice, Hungary. Although the producers of this CD attribute its composition to Joseph Haydn, conductor Mario Schwartz states in the notes that it will probably never really be known with absolute certainty who the composer really is. The Ottoburen parts contain the name Joseph Haiden (Haiden was the last name of Haydn's great grandfather); a name written on the cover of the parts found in Hungary is W.A. Mozart. In the Prague library is attributed to Václav Pichl. But no matter. The work is wonderful and whoever composed it wrote an important composition worthy of immediate entry into the choral music repertory.
The instrumentation, consisting of two oboes, two trumpets, tympani, strings and continuo, similarities to other Haydn masses and its Haydn-like spirit is what lead to the speculation that Haydn is the composer. The soloists are soprano Judith Graf, alto Ingrid Alexandre, tenor Lukas Albrecht, and bass Michael Haag, and each performs admirably and comfortably.
The other work on this disc is Perfice gressus meos by Michael Haydn, Joseph Haydn's younger brother, who was primarily known for his compositions of sacred music. In a more contemplative mood, this two-section work is designated an offertory for any occasion. The first is a beautifully melodic section for soprano and orchestra, and the second is for chorus and orchestra.
The Mass is energetically and spiritedly performed by the Collegium Cantorum St. Gallen and the Südwestdeutsche Philharmonic Konstanz, all under the direction of the Swiss-born Schwartz. Perfice gressus meos is appropriately performed as well. This disc is highly recommended not only because it is the premiere recording of this Missa Solemnis, but also for the quality of the music herein and for the high level of its performance. Lovers of choral and religious music will want to add this Missa Solemnis to their listening repertoire. ~ Jeffrey K. Chase, All Music Guide