The primary source on which the Carus Urtext edition is based is the first edition of the score from 1800. Contrary to normal custom, Haydn published the score himself in order to avoid unauthorized publications and to present an optimally designed edition from an “authentic hand.” With this original document, which has been compared with additional relevant sources, Carus offers a musical text based on the latest musicological findings.
The critical report provides all of the important data concerning the edition in a compact form suitable for practical use [practical performance]. A detailed foreword offers insight into the genesis of the work, its construction and reception and illuminates compositional and theological and spiritual-historical aspects.
In addition to the score, with singing texts in two languages (G. van Swieten’s original German and English text), in the interest of legibility, vocal and choral scores will be offered in two separate editions (German or English).
Thanks to an arrangement by J. Hickman (Carus 51.990/50), it is possible to perform the work in smaller settings.
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Composer
Joseph Haydn
| 1732-1809As Kapellmeister to Prince Esterházy, Haydn composed numerous instrumental works and various operas, as well as making important contributions to the genre of church music, including fourteen Latin masses, of which only twelve are authentic or complete; these are complemented by motets and offertories, two important Te Deum settings, two Salve Reginas, a Stabat Mater, and the different versions of the Sieben Worte des Erlösers am Kreuze. The masses were composed continually between 1749 and 1802, except for the years 1783–1795, and therefore constitute the genre with which Haydn was occupied over the longest period of time. The six (authentic or complete) masses composed before 1782 are stylistically very different, and as well as short Missae breves there are more extended masses with rich orchestral scoring; by contrast the six so-called late masses, written from 1796 onwards, form a comparatively homogeneous group of more extensive works scored for large forces. With his two great oratorios Die Schöpfung (The Creation) (1798) and Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons) (1801) Haydn established the tradition of the German oratorio for middle-class music making. Personal details
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Songwriter / Librettist
Gottfried von Swieten
| 1733-1803