Spinning Beethoven's Mass in C

Music Lane

It's all about the music, dude! Sit down, relax and listen to some tunes.

Posted by TGR (A) on September 7, 2014 at 10:41:15

I've known this work for years - I picked up a copy of the Kegel recording on Telefunken in about 1973 or so, based on H.C. Robbins Landon's (remember him? I met him once, when he gave a talk about Michael Haydn) ecstatic review in High Fidelity's critical discography published for the 200th anniversary of Beethoven's birth. This is not a work which is played often, but the SF Symphony did it a few years ago with MTT- marvelous to hear it live.

This is a beautiful work, classic late mid-period Beethoven - Op. 86, and I believe the publication date is 1812. No, it isn't the Missa Solemnis, but the Pastorale Symphony isn't the 9th, either. It has some of Beethoven's most beautiful melodies (yes, he did write some beautiful melodies) and leaves quite an impression. There really isn't anything else in Beethoven's output quite like it.

I have not kept up with the recording history of this work - I have always found the Kegel to be immensely satisfying. Recently while in Prague I managed to pick up a pristine pressing of this on the Eterna label - looks like the recording date was 1968, and features the Leipzig Gewandhaus. Interesting source, no? from East Germany, and recorded, not long after the Warsaw Pact invasion of what was then Czechoslovakia.

All that aside, I'm sure a lot of you know this Mass, but if you like Beethoven and don't know it, you should.

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Topic - Spinning Beethoven's Mass in C - TGR 10:41:15 09/07/14 (13)

RE: Spinning Beethoven's Mass in C - Chris from Lafayette 11:53:53 09/07/14 (3)

Kegel - TGR 13:20:44 09/07/14 (2)

RE: Kegel and LVB - madisonears 19:15:54 09/07/14 (0)

Yes. . . well, I certainly didn't have Gardiner in mind [nt] ;-) - Chris from Lafayette 14:47:24 09/07/14 (0)

Isn't it amazing? I came to it late, was listening as background music, got caught up in it. - jdaniel@jps.net 11:03:00 09/07/14 (8)

Still grappling with the Solemnis, as well - Jay Buridan 14:32:31 09/07/14 (6)

OK, seriously? - TGR 21:29:27 09/07/14 (1)

OK, yes. Just listened to it again - jdaniel@jps.net 18:36:08 09/08/14 (0)

Try the Collegium Aureum on DHM, as they at least make pretty sounds.... - jdaniel@jps.net 15:30:53 09/07/14 (3)

Yes!!!! I had their Christmas Oratorio on that cheap re-issue label - Timbo in Oz 18:19:22 09/08/14 (2)

Re AARP, yes. Glad you like the Aureum productions too. nt - jdaniel@jps.net 18:32:57 09/08/14 (1)

I record in simple 2-mike \---/ stereo for a local community FM station, too! - Timbo in Oz 18:39:41 09/08/14 (0)

The Missa Solemnis - TGR 13:25:29 09/07/14 (0)

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