Missa Solemnis

[Phil Leeds]

I've been engrossed in the Missa lately. I just wondered if there has ever been a recording of it with the singing in English? Not sure how possible this would be - but I had heard somewhere that there is a German version

[Hofrat]

For the Mass in C, Beethoven found a German text, then reworked the mass and published it as "Three Hymns." I doubt if he had time at the end of his life to do the same for Missa Solemnis.

[Ateach Asc]

missa on youtube...

This does not answer the question originally asked... but if you can forgive the sound quality and concentrate instead on the interpretation of the work under Arturo Toscanini's baton you should have an absolutely exciting historical moment... the Gloria is found at this link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6v557bqtdk

[Phil Leeds]

Thanks Ateach - that was what I was meaning. Lordy, isn't it brassy though! There are some links to other extracts from Toscanini's interpretation of the Missa under "related videos" on youtube - the Benedictus is wonderful!

[DavidO]

Call me nutty, but I'd love to have a recording of the Missa of the piano reduction, four vocal soloists & perhaps a chorus of about eight.

[Hofrat]

Dear DavidO;

Try G. Schirmer Editions of Masses and Vespers, New York/London, Edition number 602. This is a vocal score with piano accompaniment that includes an English translation too. 141 pages.

[DavidO]

Dear DavidO;

Try G. Schirmer Editions of Masses and Vespers, New York/London, Edition number 602. This is a vocal score with piano accompaniment that includes an English translation too. 141 pages.

Hofrat, I have the urtext G. Henle Verlag piano & vocal score, published in 2000. But do you know whether a recording has ever been produced with the piano & reduced vocal ensemble? That's what I'd really love to hear. I believe that reducing the number of vocalists & instrumentation can only clarify those extraordinary contrapuntal textures throughout the various sections. Its those textures that sometimes get lost in the noise of enormous vocal & instrumental forces all going at it fortissimo.

[Hofrat]

DavidO;

The purpose of the piano-vocal score is rehearsal of the vocal soloists and the choirs. They were not intended for performances, although your idea has merit. Beethoven had Ignaz Moscheles arrange a piano-vocal score for "Fidelio."

[Phil Leeds]

Seeing the posts about the definitive 32 piano sonatas, I was wondering what is recommended for the Missa?
I have a Tonhalle Orchestra, conducted by David Zinman recording of 2002

[Peter]

Seeing the posts about the definitive 32 piano sonatas, I was wondering what is recommended for the Missa?
I have a Tonhalle Orchestra, conducted by David Zinman recording of 2002

Maybe because it was the first recording I had of it I recommend Klemperer. This is odd for me because generally I don't like the ponderous tempi of his recordings, but in the Missa I think he captures the grandeur of the work like no other.

[Chris]

Maybe because it was the first recording I had of it I recommend Klemperer. This is odd for me because generally I don't like the ponderous tempi of his recordings, but in the Missa I think he captures the grandeur of the work like no other.

I agree, and for the same reasons. I don't think his Missa is really all that slow, though, is it?

I have not heard the Zinman recording. I didn't even know he made one. But his Beethoven symphonies are fantastic, so I may have to check it out.

[Hofrat]

Brilliant Classics offers both masses in a 2-CD set with Colin Davis conducting the London Symphony Chorus and Orchestra.

[Sorrano]

Brilliant Classics offers both masses in a 2-CD set with Colin Davis conducting the London Symphony Chorus and Orchestra.

I quite like Davis' work. Have you had a chance to listen to this set?

[Phil Leeds]

Thanks for the replies
Haven't listened to the Davis' set but I think my local music library has a copy I could borrow.
I would be very interested to hear the Klemperer version, although I am aware that people have criticised as you say his ponderous tempi but I very much like his version of the Eroica (especially the funeral march)

[Michael]

Klemperer's version is also the one I play most often and the tempi are not noticeable very slow except at the end of the "Gloria". I quite like Leonard Berstein's version, too. The recording by Colin Davis is good but has never made much of an impression on me.