Customer Reviews

Masses

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One of my first experiences with classical music concerts was a performance of Haydn's "Creation" conducted by Neville Marriner. From this concert I had the impression that Marriner has a faible for rather fast tempi - as far as classical choral works are concerned, but I have to revise this opinion.

Sure, in this collection of four masses by Haydn there are also some speedy movements, and often the interpretation feels "right" concerning the speed and rhythm. I have the impression that this is especially valid for the first two featured masses (Heiligmesse, Nelsonmesse) where I have no comparison to other recordings or notes. The second pair of masses (Kleine Orgelsolomesse, Theresienmesse) are played often in very broad tempi (e.g. the Kyrie in the Orgelsolomesse) that make it sometimes difficult to follow the flow of the music.

Besides these details, the interpretation of the joint forces of the Rundfunkchor Leipzig (pronouncing the Latin text in the way it is customary in Germany), the Staatskapelle Dresden, and various soloists is full of rhythm and is "leggiero" (sometimes the latter is somewhat missing with the soloists). Also the technical aspects of the recording are solid, though maybe not excellent.

Neville Marriner has been criticised for his fast tempi but I think his conducting of these four Haydn masses is very good indeed. It has great energy and sense of purpose. The singing is also very good here. I especially like Robert Holl's solid and full basso in the Nelson Mass. You can pay a lot more and get a lot less.