Vanhal: Missa Pastoralis in G major; Missa Solemnis in C major

Johann Baptist Vanhal (Composer), Uwe Grodd (Conductor), Aradia Ensemble (Performer), Colin Ainsworth (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Aradia Ensemble, Colin Ainsworth
• Conductor: Uwe Grodd
• Composer: Johann Baptist Vanhal
• Audio CD (June 19, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Naxos
• ASIN: B00005JD89
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #127,064 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vanhal's music fills a gap in the sacred classicalrepertoire, August 2, 2001

By 

"palladio98" (Chappaqua, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vanhal: Missa Pastoralis in G major; Missa Solemnis in C major (Audio CD)

The Vanhal series by Naxos has clearly been successful enough for the label to churn out more of his work. And this release's artistic worth and merit is very high because it is a well-performed recording from a neglected repertoire aside from the works of Mozart and Haydn: sacred music of the classical era. Aside from the masses of Haydn and the vespers of Mozart, the sacred repetoire of the classical era is rather sparse compared to the Baroque era.

I first heard Vanhal on an LP of the Weller Quartet compilation called "Mozart's Quartet Party." Vanhal's music is clean and scrupulously elegant, as one can hear on the Naxos releases of the symphonies. It is good to know that this elegant ethic carries over into his masses. Yet his music does not have the "shallow elegant" Roccoco style from which some of J.C. Bach's music suffers, as fine and entertaining a composer as he is. Vanhal's masses reflect honest, unpretentious faith without being simplistic or amateurish.

Although the Baroque period's stars have grown more numerous that the Bach-Handel-Vivaldi triumvirate (Fasch, Albinoni, Charpentier, Zelenka, and Alessandro Scarlatti have received attention recently), the classical era has largely remained confined to Mozart and Haydn, with growing interst in CPE Bach (who is a remarkable composer in his own right). Although not posssessing the genius of Mozart and Haydn, Vanhal's genial style and warm outlook will provide a welcome addition to the classical period's circle of composers.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent late 18th century masses, July 4, 2001

By 

Richard A. Cavalla "Rick.C" (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vanhal: Missa Pastoralis in G major; Missa Solemnis in C major (Audio CD)

These two masses are highly interesting, enjoyable, and well written. Vanhal (1739-1813), a near contemporary of Haydn (1732-1809), does not reach the same exalted levels as Haydn's six late masses, but who does?! These works, composed in circa 1782 and 1778, predate the late Haydn masses by about 20 years, but are in a similar style. That is, very symphonic and forward-looking; you will not hear echoes of the Baroque in these masses. Vanhal even uses the very secular oboes and horns in these works. Conductor Uwe Grodd leads the period-instrument Aradia Ensemble in splendid performances that balance the orchestral and choral forces expertly. Grodd, who also conducted a disc of Vanhal symphonies for Naxos, has shown a definite affinity for this overlooked Bohemian composer. Highly recommended.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vanhal's Clear Forte, April 25, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Vanhal: Missa Pastoralis in G major; Missa Solemnis in C major (Audio CD)

Having heard some of Vanhal's instrumental and symphonic music, especially the very good symphonies on Uwe Grodd's CD for Naxos, I knew him to be more than a workmanlike composer. The symphonies, for example, are head and shoulders above many of those in Naxos' 18th-century symphony series, though still a good head or more below those of Haydn and Mozart, of course. But these masses by Vanhal show him in the strongest possible light.

The Missa Pastoralis announces itself immediately as being in the pastoral mass tradition, with the Kyrie's lilting dance rhythm, choral echo effects, and drone figures in the strings. Some of its passages sound like the choral equivalent of Baroque Christmas concertos and sinfonias. The scoring is light, with sweet-sounding high trumpets giving the work a special aura. A true charmer.

The Missa Solemnis is a weightier work and one of real power. This is an exact contemporary of Mozart's famous "Coronation" Mass, but while the Mozart has prettier tunes, Vanhal's mass has more muscle and ingenuity. In fact, I'll take this Missa Solemnis any day over most of Mozart's too-operatic choral music. Vanhal can actually write a fugue that is both musically correct and emotionally fulfilling! And there are individualistic touches that show his great sensitivity to the text, such as the somber, inward music accorded the "Et expecto" section of the Credo. It has the effect of the traditional moment of silence, hat over breast, before the "Et vitam" sweeps all before it. If the quicksilver passage for obliggato organ and the sweet-natured violin solo of the Gloria don't leave you smiling, you took a wrong turn at the Varese bin!

Uwe Grodd is proving himself one of the most sensitive conductors in Naxos' fine stable of 18th-century specialists, and his performances here are no exception. His chorus and small orchestra are perfect partners as well. Of the mostly fine soloists, only the wobbly tenor is not quite up to snuff. A detailed recording with just the right church-like ambience completes a sterling package.