Description

It is well known that Joseph Haydn wrote his late masses to the commission of his last employer, Prince Nicolaus II Esterhazy. The “Harmoniemesse” is the last of these high masses all of which probably received their first performances in celebration of the name-day of Princess Maria Josepha Hermenegild, the prince’s wife. The present work was given for the first time on 8 September 1802 in the Bergkirche at Eisenstadt, Haydn himself conducting.

Haydn entitled his work simply “Missa”. The work has acquired the name “Harmoniemesse” by reason of the prominent parts given to the wind instruments (“Harmonie” being a contemporary name for a wind band); the nickname did not become established until the late nineteenth century.

Description

Haydn composed his Missa in B-flat major, also known as the “Harmony Mass” in 1802. It is the last of the six great mass settings, which forms the crowning glory of Haydn’s vocal music alongside “The Creation” and “The Seasons”.

Continuing the cooperation between Bärenreiter and the G. Henle publishing company regarding Haydn’s large-scale choral works, operas, and symphonies, this edition is based on the G. Henle Complete Edition of the “Works of Joseph Haydn”.

This full score is fully compatible with all existing performance material.