Haydn's Nelson Mass

[Dave2002]

Any suggestions for recordings of the Nelson Mass?

I have a few, including:

Bernstein
Bruno Weil
Willcocks
Pinnock

and wondered what the current favourites are.

[MickyD]

I have the Weil and like it a lot, but I gather there is also a New College Oxford/Higginbottom recording..I haven't heard it, but I think it got good reviews, Dave.

[VodkaDilc]

The Pinnock recording is my long-time favourite - though the Weil sounds tempting.

[Roslynmuse]

What a coincidence! I've just been listening to the Willcocks recording - not with a great deal of pleasure, I'm afraid; tempi are a bit ponderous in places and there is a lack of 'lift' in the phrasing despite some energetic playing and singing. The boys are rather breathy, the organ sometimes sounds out of tune to me (as does the soprano, once or twice, although generally she has a clear pure tone and the quartet is pretty good). I am repelled by 'egg-shells(is)' though...

Will be interested to see what suggestions come up. It's not a piece I know well.

[MickyD]

The Weil is good for me because you get the boys' voices in the choir...the same with Higginbottom.

[Dave2002]

Is that the one with Sylvia Stahlman? I'll have to listen again - in the past I thought that was very good indeed, but times move on.

I've got a couple more - there's surely one in the Brilliant Haydn box. Just checked - and it's the same as a "spare" version I have - by Harnoncourt. I don't really rate that one very highly, though it's passable. I normally like Harnoncourt, but I found his mass recordings a bit dull.

[Roslynmuse]

Is that the one with Sylvia Stahlman? I'll have to listen again - in the past I thought that was very good indeed, but times move on.

Yes, it is. Also Helen Watts, Wilfred Brown and Tom Krause.

[mercia]

I have a kind of nostalgic affection for the Cambridge late masses "set" having had a couple on LP - all wonderful works (IMO)

[gurnemanz]

Until recently I only had Willcocks, but I have been really enjoying the recently acquired Naxos complete set which got very good reviews and is cheaply available in a convenient box.

[DoctorT]

I love the Pinnock recording. The Benedictus is terrifying

[MickyD]

Until recently I only had Willcocks, but I have been really enjoying the recently acquired Naxos complete set which got very good reviews and is cheaply available in a convenient box.

Oh yes...that's the one with the American period band under Jane Glover, I believe...haven't heard it, I'm intrigued.

[Dave2002]

Until recently I only had Willcocks, but I have been really enjoying the recently acquired Naxos complete set which got very good reviews and is cheaply available in a convenient box.

For example - http://open.spotify.com/track/23QJIRMZmd2fecy1wsnKhX

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Haydn-Complete-Masses-Trinity-Choir/dp/B002IVRBBU/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1398117030&sr=1-1&keywords=haydn+masses+naxos

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/jun/10/haydn-nelson-mass-nikolaimesse-review

I hadn't heard of these before - will investigate further.

[gurnemanz]

For example - http://open.spotify.com/track/23QJIRMZmd2fecy1wsnKhX

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Haydn-Complete-Masses-Trinity-Choir/dp/B002IVRBBU/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1398117030&sr=1-1&keywords=haydn+masses+naxos

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/jun/10/haydn-nelson-mass-nikolaimesse-review

I hadn't heard of these before - will investigate further.

I got it here - even cheaper but seems to be out of stock.

[mercia]

is there some doubt as to how many Haydn mass settings there are ? that Naxos "complete" set lists 11, wikipedia says 14.

I notice there's another Naxos Nelson with Hungarian forces.

[BBMmk2]

I have the Hickox/Chandos Haydn Mass Edition. Very well worth getting the whole lot!