Theresienmesse

Mass by Joseph Haydn

Theresienmesse (H. XXII/12) is a mass in B flat major written by Joseph Haydn and named after Maria Theresa of the Two Sicilies, empress consort of Francis II. The empress herself was the soprano soloist at private performances of both The Creation and The Seasons in May 1801 at the Viennese Court. The title does not appear on the autograph score, which is labeled simply with the Latin word "Missa". Between 1796 and 1802, Haydn composed six masses to celebrate the name day of Princess Maria Josepha Hermengilde Esterházy de Galantha (1768 1845), who was the wife of his patron Prince Nikolaus Esterhazy II. The Theresienmesse, written in 1799, belongs in this series. The work is thought to have been premiered on 8 September 1799. The location was the Bergkirche, near the Esterházy family seat in Eisenstadt, Austria. The mass is scored for solo quartet, chorus, strings, two clarinets, two trumpets, timpani and organ continuo. Concerning the paucity of winds (no oboes, bassoons, horns, or flutes) John W. Ehrlich has written:

While probably not as frequently performed as its companions the Nelson Mass or the Missa in tempore belli, the Theresienmesse has attracted critical admiration; Ehrlich for instance refers to it as an "extraordinary work." Another commentator writes, "Haydn's choral writing has all the variety, rhythmic energy and contrapuntal skill of a composer at the height of his powers."

The vocal parts of the mass are performed by four soloists (soprano, alto, tenor and bass) and a four part choir. The soloists often appear as an ensemble, without arias. Haydn scored the mass for a large orchestra. In the following table of the movements, the markings, keys and time signatures are taken from the choral score, using the symbols for common time and alla breve. The choir is present in all movements, except the Et incarnatus of the Credo. No. Part Incipit Solo voices Marking Key Time 1 Kyrie S A T B S A T B Adagio AllegroAdagio B flat major 2 Gloria Gloria in excelsis Deo Allegro B flat major Gratias agimus tibi S A T B Moderato C majorC minor Quoniam tu solus Sanctus S A T B Vivace B flat major 3 Credo Credo in unum Deum Allegro B flat major Et incarnatus est S A T B Adagio B flat minor Et resurrexit S A T B Allegro B flat major Et vitam venturi saeculi S A T B Allegro B flat major 4 Sanctus Sanctus Dominus S A T B Andante B flat major Pleni sunt coeli et terra Allegro 5 Benedictus Benedictus qui venit S A T B Moderato G major 6 Agnus Dei Agnus Dei Adagio G minor Dona nobis pacem S A T B Allegro B flat major