The great Franz Joseph Haydn remains unquestionably one of the greatest composers in the history of Western music, having laid down the template for the forms of the string quartet, and perfecting the symphonic form a hundred and four times over. But "Papa" Haydn also was prolific in the area of sacred music, composing two great oratorios ("The Seasons"; "The Creation"), and a staggering fourteen settings of the Latin Mass.

Four of those settings of the Mass are to be found on this 2-CD compilation of recordings made back in the 1980s by Sir Neville Marriner and the Dresden State Orchestra (Staatskapelle Dresden), along with a cadre of vocal soloists, organist Hansjurgen Schloze, and the Leipzig Radio Chorus. The "Little Organ" (no. 7), "Heiligmesse" (no. 10), "Lord Nelson" (no. 11), and "Theresiemesse" (no. 12), are all given impassioned and towering performances, especially given the fact the size of the orchestra is not much larger than that of the composer's symphonies (no trombones; mostly strings, timpani, and trumpets), other than the obvious addition of the organ.

Barbara Hendricks is the vocal soloist in no. 7, while Carol Vaness (soprano), Doris Soffel (contralto), Keith Lewis (tenor), and Petteri Salomaa (bass) are the soloists for nos. 10 and 12, and Margaret Marshall (soprano), Carolyn Watkinson (contralto), and Robert Holl (bass) join Lewis on no. 11. Marriner, the great founder of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields and the first music director of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, leads the Dresdeners, their Leipzig colleagues, and this assembly of great vocalists through some of the greatest sacred music ever written. This 2-CD set is strongly recommended for any classical fan, especially if choral and/or sacred music is their favorite classical genre.

This recording left something to be desired. Some tempi are extremely fast. the editing is lousy(there are places

between movements that have the music start for a split second, is cut and then begins again for real.) I needed to have

a recording quickly to study a score, otherwise I would have returned it for another. I was disappointed with the

overall reading, and the performance from Neville Marriner and the gang.

Excellent performances. Good value; four wonderful Masses on one CD. These Masses are not heard enough. However, The Twin Cities Catholic Chorale in St. Paul MN at St. Agnes Church sings MANY of them, and quite well at that. We sing 30 polyphonic Latin Masses with full orchestra throughout the liturgical year. Check out our website, and better yet - come and hear us in person. (Sorry, I guess I digressed a little.) Actually, Neville Marriner has been at our church and has heard us! We probably inspired him to record these Masses.