Johann Simon Mayr – Messa solenne in D minor

Franz Hauk is the world’s leading expert on the music of Johann Simon Mayr (1763–1845). He’s also its leading exponent, with his numerous new editions and recordings of the composer’s operas and other vocal works having attracted significant international recognition. This twenty-seventh Naxos album of Mayr’s music continues Hauk's tireless restoration project with a substantial world premiere recording of the Messa solenne in D minor.


World Premiere Recording
8.574524-25

Johann Simon MAYR (1763–1845)
Messa solenne in D minor

Anna Feith, Bogna Bernagiewicz, Sopranos • Freya Apffelstaedt, Alto
Markus Schäfer, Fang Zhi, Tenors • Niklas Mallmann, Bass
Simon Mayr Chorus • Concerto de Bassus • Franz Hauk

Johann Simon Mayr’s music stands on the cusp between the Classical and Romantic eras. The expressive lyrical qualities in his religious music reflects a career in which he composed nearly 70 operas. The Messa solenne follows the Italian tradition of messa concertata and contains the full ordinary – a rarity for Mayr’s output in this genre. The work’s polyphonic sections made an especially lasting impression on churchgoers of the time, as witnessed by Mayr’s first biographer, Girolamo Calvi, who wrote enthusiastically about this work’s ‘exquisite vocal writing’ and ‘profoundly thrilling’ virtuosity – qualities that have remained hidden for nearly 200 years.

Listen to an extract from Cum Sancto Spiritu
About the Artists
More albums of works by Johann Simon Mayr
8.660483-84
Alfredo il Grande
Dressen • Schäfer • Ochoa • Feith • Körber • Polhardt
Simon Mayr Chorus
Members of the Bavarian State Opera Chorus
Concerto de Bassus
Hauk
★★★★
★★★★
Alfredo il Grande is a superb piece of entertainment, and with its grandiose choruses and sensuous melodies this opera was conceived on a monumental scale. Imaginative, exciting, dramatic and, above all, abundantly tuneful… This is a gem of a premiere recording.’
Classical Music Daily
8.574203
Messa di Gloria
in E minor • in F minor

Szczepańska • Feith • Apffelstaedt • Insam
Schäfer • Zhi • Stimmel • Merguet
Simon Mayr Chorus • Concerto de Bassus
Hauk
‘Franz Hauk’s burning advocacy for Mayr is palpable and his forces respond with enthusiasm.’
Gramophone
8.660422-23
Le due duchesse
Opera in 2 acts

Schäfer • Herbert • Hasselhorn • Mattersberger • Mallman
Ahn • Jo • Choi • Feith • Lindemann • Thum
Simon Mayr Chorus and Members of the Bavarian State Opera Chorus
Concerto de Bassus
Hauk
★★★★★
★★★★
★★★★
‘If you’ve previously found that byways from this period don’t set the world alight, prepare for a delightful surprise.’
Opera News
8.573419-20
Requiem
Thornhill • Ruckgaber • Holzhauser • Schäfer • Sellier • Berner
Mittelhammer • Thoma • Mischok
Simon Mayr Chorus and Ensemble
Hauk
★★★★★
★★★★
‘Naxos’ ongoing series of music by Simon Mayr has been one of the revelations during the last few years, and the Requiem is so far the crowning glory.’
MusicWeb International
For the full list of recordings of Mayr’s music, follow this link.


View all Features »