NELSON MESSE

with the Freiburger Barockorchester, Gottfried von der Goltz conducting

10 November 2022

oseph Haydn was and is known for his good-natured nature, his jokes and his original ideas - also and especially in music. But the composer could also strike more serious notes, as his 44th Symphony in E minor and his Nelson Mass prove. Haydn's Nelson Mass was written in 1798 and bears the title "Missa in angustiis", i.e. "Mass in distress".

In fact, Haydn was beset in two ways at the time: First, Austria was plagued by the Napoleonic Wars, which resulted in meagre state coffers, and this was also felt in the House of Esterházy. The prince had to dismiss his woodwind players and Haydn was forced to write works with smaller instrumentation. As a result, the Nelson Mass was initially performed without woodwinds. According to legend, the British Admiral Horatio Nelson paid a visit to Prince Esterházy after his crushing defeat of the Napoleonic troops at the Battle of Alexandria. The Mass is said to have been performed in his honour during his stay, which is why it is now nicknamed the Nelson Mass. In fact, despite its predominantly mournful gesture, the Mass also has majestic, boastful moments, which are due not least to the three trumpets and the timpani.

Together with the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra, under the direction of Gottfried von der Goltz, we are creating a concert dedicated to the sombre, dramatic and profound Haydn. So it is only logical that his 44th Symphony in E minor will also be heard: Haydn supposedly wished the third movement of the symphony, the Adagio, for his own funeral.

Performers

MAGDALENE HARER Soprano
HENRIETTE GÖDDE Alto
NIKOLAUS PFANNKUCH Tenor
TORBEN JÜRGENS Bass-Baritone

ZÜRCHER SING-AKADEMIE

SEBASTIAN BREUING Chorus Master
FREIBURGER BAROCKORCHESTER
GOTTFRIED VON DER GOLTZ Violin & Conductor

Programme

JOSEPH HAYDN:

SINFONIE E-MOLL HOB I:44 - TRAUERSINFONIE
MISSA IN ANGUSTIIS D-MOLL HOB XXII:11 - NELSON-MESSE

CONCERTS