Must-Have Masses (no Requiems)

[gmstudio]

I was on a big Requiem kick not too long ago, so now I'd like to explore some "regular" masses.   Am looking for things primarily from prior to 1900.  Any recommendations?

I already have:

Bach Mass in B-Minor:  Gardiner
Beethoven Missa Solemnis:  Klemperer and Harnoncourt

[BachQ]

Haydn, final six masses (esp. the Nelson Mass in d minor)
Hummel, Missa Solemnis; Mass in d minor
Bruckner, Mass in f minor
Mozart, Great Mass

[karlhenning]

As mentioned, the Stravinsky Mass

Janáček, Glagolitic Mass

Wuorinen, Mass for the Restoration of St Luke's

de Victoria, Missa O magnum mysterium

[BachQ]

As mentioned, the Stravinsky Mass of 1948

Janáček, Glagolitic Mass of 1914

Wuorinen, Mass for the Restoration of St Luke's

de Victoria, Missa O magnum mysterium

OP specifies "prior to 1900"

[karlhenning]

OP specifies "prior to 1900"

In which case . . . disregard all mine apart from the Renaissance item . . . .

[BachQ]

In which case . . . disregard all mine apart from the Renaissance item . . . .

Not bad, Karl ...... only 75% of your recommendations get tossed ........

[Morigan]

To add with Mozart's Great C minor mass, the "Coronation" mass really is a "must-have".

[Lethevich]

I second Haydn and Bruckner (his final three are very major - the last one is more of a concert work, though).

Schubert has some very high quality masses, which are not very well known relative to the rest of his output. A similar era one is Cherubini's Missa Solemnis. Berlioz's Messe Solennelle is very good, despite being only a recent discovery.

[gmstudio]

Thanks so far.  This is a great way to get started on what to get, what to save for later, etc.

I know I'm leaving all sorts of stuff out by saying "pre-1900," but I've found as I explore new-to-me styles that I generally come to the 20th Century stuff last.  I do have the Stravinsky pieces (just got the Stravinsky Box a few weeks ago), but, really, I find myself learning the style better when I go chronologically. 

[karlhenning]

Haydn, final six masses (esp. the Nelson Mass in d minor)

Hmmm . . . that was unexpected 

[karlhenning]

Palestrina's beautiful christmas mass missa hodie christus natus est

This must be a beauty (wonder if I have it at home . . . ?)

[KevinP]

Palestrina, Missa Papae Marcelli

[Josquin des Prez]

but, really, I find myself learning the style better when I go chronologically. 

Then you may want to start with this:

http://www.amazon.com/Guillaume-Machaut-Ensemble-Organum-Marcel/dp/B0000007AY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1197086933&sr=1-1

It's the first unified mass cycle ever written and the one that started the trend in the first place.

[Bogey]

Some have been mentioned, but just consider the repeated ones a priority.

Haydn Mass in Time of War (Paukenmesse or Kettledrum Mass)
Haydn Nelson Mass (Missa in Augustiis)
Haydn Missa Sancti Bernardi von Offida

Mozart Mass in C major "Coronation" K. 317
Mozart Mass in Major K. 167

[Great Gable]

I have yet to hear a Schubert Mass that doesn't hit the spot

[gmstudio]

Then you may want to start with this:

http://www.amazon.com/Guillaume-Machaut-Ensemble-Organum-Marcel/dp/B0000007AY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1197086933&sr=1-1

It's the first unified mass cycle ever written and the one that started the trend in the first place.

Happened across it at the library today, just by chance.

[Lilas Pastia]

My take:

Bach b minor: for the contrapuntal genius and extraordinary structure.

Haydn Missa cellensis (St-Cecilia Mass): for a unique 'bridge' between the old style and the classical. The Kyrie is made-in-Heaven stuff. And or fourse the late 'big 6' masses, esp. Nelson, Pauken, Schöpfung, Harmonie and Theresien masses.

Mozart: the Great c minor Mass, for its extraordinarily beautiful melodies, esp. those of the soprano arias and duets. The beginning of the Credo is uniquely springy and infectious.

Beethoven: the Missa solemnis, for its unique Benedictus. The Agnus is extraordinary, too, but here the Haydn influence is obvious (Nelson Mass).

Schubert: the seraphically serene D. 950. A look back at the Old Masters (Bach and Haydn more than Mozart).

Bruckner: the f minor Mass (no. 3). Gloriously scented music. Very inward looking, as different from Beethoven's 'public' Mass as could be.

Janacek (he said primarily pre-1900 ). Easily the wackiest, most colourful, zany and utterly exhilarating religious music ever penned.

[prémont]

Then you may want to start with this:

http://www.amazon.com/Guillaume-Machaut-Ensemble-Organum-Marcel/dp/B0000007AY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1197086933&sr=1-1

Even if the provocative shouting Peres interpretation is captivating on its own terms, I find it too special for a newcomer to this work, and I would suggest some other recordings like Clemencic (Arte Nova) or Parrott (EMI).

[FideLeo]

Even if the provocative shouting Peres interpretation is captivating on its own terms, I find it too special for a newcomer to this work, and I would suggest some other recordings like Clemencic (Arte Nova) or Parrott (EMI).

Agreed.  Machaut doesn't have to sound like a Corsican fisherman.   

[karlhenning]

There are some Corsican fishermen here want a word with you . . . .