Bal 21.03.15 - Haydn: Missa in Angustiis (Nelson Mass)

[BBMmk2]

JEGGER's I didn't know he had! I might investigate. I have the complete Hickox Edition on Chandos. I find this very enjoyable.

[visualnickmos]

Copy the post to the Carmen Thread and delete it from the Nelson one?

Thanks - I think I've done it!

[ardcarp]

Does anyone know which versions of the Nelson are being played by whom? The most frequently done (the iconic King's one included) uses strings plus an independent organ part. A version with wind exists which I don't like so much. Presumably Jeremy will discuss the pros and cons...if he can get a word in edgeways.

Incidentally the Harmoniemesse (referred to by someone above) is a beefier work; Haydn in top form, but less of a gem, IMO. The 'Harmonie' bit refers to the prominent part played by the wind.

[Don Petter]

Does anyone know which versions of the Nelson are being played by whom? The most frequently done (the iconic King's one included) uses strings plus an independent organ part. A version with wind exists which I don't like so much.

If it's anything like cricket, it will be one of each part?

[Rolmill]

Trinity Choir & Rebel Baroque Orchestra, J. Owen Burdick
.
.
Trinity Choir & REBEL Baroque Orchestra, J. Owen Burdick & Jane Glover

I suspect these are one and the same Naxos recording (maybe individual disc and complete Haydn Masses box set respectively?).

I love Haydn's masses and have (in order of purchase) Pinnock, Hickox, Weil and Gardiner. Although all have their merits, it's the Pinnock that still does it for me: great soloists, incisive but warm choir and orchestra - a thrilling record which is a dead cert for my desert island (whatever the admirable JS decides)!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Does anyone know which versions of the Nelson are being played by whom? The most frequently done (the iconic King's one included) uses strings plus an independent organ part. A version with wind exists which I don't like so much.

Plus three trumpets and Timps. Robbins Landon's edition of the score for Eulenberg has a lengthy introduction which includes a discussion of the various woodwind additions; there are several of them - and probably too many to cover in a BaL (especially one with the "Gosh that's really fascinating isn't it" extra wind parts from AMacG). HCRB comments "Apparently everybody amused himself in those days writing supplementary wind parts for the Nelson Mass."

[duncan]

I shall certainly be listening. It will take persuasive reviewers for me to abandon my allegance to the Pinnock recording. It is one of those happy combinations of artist and work that almost always raises my spirits.

[BBMmk2]

I fear this may be yet another catch up for me

[ostuni]

I can beat fhg by a year - I first got to know the piece performing it at school in December 1970! My vocal score still contains the programme, with a particularly cringe-worthy programme note by the 17-yr-old me...

And for me, in 1970 it was also the Willcocks version, of course. As with fhg and several others, my tastes these days are for HIP-er performances - though it's not a piece I've listened to much in recent years, so I'll be interested to hear JS's extracts next week.

Coincidentally I was playing in a performance yesterday - and thoroughly enjoying getting to know the piece again. You don't forget the big D minor bits, but the more jaunty Dma/Gma stuff in between is absolutely delightful. Only 2 trumpets, by the way (I was sitting next to them...).

[visualnickmos]

.....Only 2 trumpets, by the way (I was sitting next to them...).

Thank goodness it was only 2!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I've played in several concerts that have included this mass, but as there are no oboes in the work itself, I've been able to go home after the interval. However, on the last occasion, I joined the chorus instead.

[MickyD]

I think this fairly recent one, a unique all-male voice version from Higginbottom is missing from your list, EA:

http://www.newcollegechoir.com/haydn-nelson-mass-recordings.html

I seem to remember it getting favourable reviews upon release, but I haven't heard it myself yet. I hope it gets included in the BAL.

[ostuni]

That New College recording caught my eye when I was browsing Qobuz for one to listen to when preparing for Saturday's concert. The choir, as ever, sounds lovely - but there's a lot of really challenging stuff for the soprano soloist, and I really wasn't convinced by Higginbottom's boy treble, good as he was.

And on Saturday, liistening to the reprise of the Kyrie, when the sop solo shines above the choir with her decorative semiquavers, Ben Nicholas's chosen soprano (the excellent, young, Eloise Irving) filled the large acoustic of Tewkesbury Abbey in just the right sort of way.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

am i correct in assuming that this BAL will be tomorrow not last year?

[Don Petter]

It is the Mass for Troubled Times!