Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

First, a slight caveat: this release is actually a reissue on a different label. J Owen Burdick started to record the complete Haydn Masses with the Hanssler label that sadly ran into financial difficulties so three cheers for Naxos for picking up the baton and making this excellent recording available again at the usual super-budget price. Volume one of the Naxos series was Haydn's 'Stabat Mater' so it is with this, volume two, that the series really gets underway with the 'Missa Cellensis in honorem BVM' or, as it is more usually known 'Cacilienmesse' which was Haydn's first Mass setting for his new employers at Eszterhaza. The useful booklet notes by Jennifer More Glagov give the background but, in brief, the 'Cacilienmesse' seems to have grown over the years, starting with the "Kyrie" and "Gloria" and with other sections being added later. If one knows this in advance and if one listens carefully one may notice the joins, so to speak, but this reviewer, not knowing any of this when he first made the acquaintance of 'Cacilienmesse' when it was in the Naxos 'Complete Haydn Masses' box-set, is happy to report that none of this background matters a jot and that this Mass is a joy to hear whatever its musical history. Haydn is drawing upon the wealth of musical styles and traditions associated with the Viennese Mass and is his usual happy self. Of his two most illustrious musical contemporaries Haydn comes closer to the joi de vivre of Mozart than the more introspective, romantic, Beethoven. This recording was made at Trinity Church, New York with the Trinity Choir in fine voice and the period instrument REBEL Baroque Orchestra doing all that is required of them. It would be wrong to single out any of the eight vocal soloists as all deserve applause so we will content ourselves with singing the praises of J Owen Burdick who directed and produced this excellent album. Even if you have any of the other recordings available this one is well worth hearing and for the Haydn enthusiast is indispensable.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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