Mass, Op. 86 in C major / Elegischer Gesang, Op. 118; etc

"This is music in which Richard Hickox has few rivals. As in the series of Haydn Masses, or the Gramophone Award-winning pairing of two by Hummel, his splendid Collegium Musicum 90 capture the spirit of exultation with vigour and invest the moments of poise with genuine intensity. The Mass in C is too seldom heard - pairing it with the Choral Fantasy would make for a nice concert - but it's so appealing when you do encounter it. Another choral winner for Hickox and Chandos."
- Editor's Choice (Gramophone Magazine) January 2004

'The Chandos team specialises in full and juicy recordings, and one of the joys of CHAN 0703, a Beethoven disc dominated by the Mass in C, Op. 86, lies in its well-balanced sound. No hiding under the orchestra's coat-tails for the choir of Collegium Musicum 90; they ride happily on top of their lively partners. The enthusiastic conductor is Richard Hickox, following his delectable Chandos versions of Masses by Haydn and Hummel.'
- The Times

This important release follows Hickox and Collegium Musicum 90's award-winning recordings of the Masses of Haydn and Hummel. It continues the Esterházy theme since Beethoven's Mass in C succeeded ones commissioned by the prince from Haydn and Hummel.

There are very few recordings of this repertoire on period instruments, making this CD especially important.

Hickox's recording of Hummel's Masses, Opp. 77 and 111 has just been awarded 'best choral recording' in this year's Gramophone Awards. His Haydn Masses also garnered a wealth of accolades, including four 'Editor's Choices', two 'Recordings of the Month', an Observer 'Disc of the Week', a BBC Music Magazine 'Pick of the Month', a Daily Telegraph 'Pick of 2002' and a Gramophone Award nomination.

The addition of the two rare cantatas to this disc make it highly attractive.

Full texts and translations are included.

Selected Previous releases:
Hummel: Mass in B flat/Mass in D etc. - CHAN 0681
Haydn: Grosse Orgelmesse etc. - CHAN 0674
Haydn: Missa Cellensis (Missa Sancti Ceciliae) etc. - CHAN 0667
Haydn: Creation Mass etc. - CHAN 0599
Haydn: Harmoniemesse etc. - CHAN 0612
Haydn: Paukenmesse etc. - CHAN 0633
Haydn: Nelson Mass etc. - CHAN 0640