FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN (1732-1809) NICOLAI MASS (1772) Scored for: two oboes, bassoon, two horns, organ and strings Performance time: 27 minutes First Grant Park Orchestra performance Among the great composers of the classical period was Austrian Franz Joseph Haydn. His symphonies and chamber pieces have certainly formed the cornerstone of many concert programs. In particular, he is credited with further establishment of the style exhibited in the symphonies and string quartets of the time. His choral mass settings like the Lord Nelson Mass and his oratorios The Creation and The Seasons have all remained popular staples in the choral literature. Often referred to as the Nicolaimesse or Missa Sancti Nicolai, this setting of the mass is believed to have been composed in 1772 with revisions in 1802. A traditional setting of the mass, the work was written for chorus, vocal soloists, two oboes, two horns, strings and organ, later adding trumpets and timpani. This sixth setting of the mass had great significance for Haydn: The bulk of his career was spent as musician and Kapellmeister in the court of the famously wealthy Esterházy family. This mass in particular was composed in celebration of the name day of his patron Prince Nikolaus Esterházy, who kept music central to palace life. First performed close to the season of Advent, musically the work has a lilting quality. Because of this, it is often referred to as the 6/8 mass. In the beginning, you hear the vocal soloists prominently in the Kyrie solely with the string accompaniment, followed by the entrance of the choir shortly thereafter. There is a buoyant feeling created by the strings that lends itself to a sense of stately grandeur. Much of the heavy lifting in this work is centered around the vocal soloists, who are featured throughout. The listener will also find that many of the themes or melodies in the opening Kyrie return in the Agnus Dei, restated in the Dona Nobis Pacem with a feeling of peaceful resolve. Nicolai Mass Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison.
Soloists and Chorus Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy
Soprano and Chorus Gloria in excelsis Deo. Glory be to God on high, Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis. and on earth peace, good will towards men. Laudamus te. Benedicimus te. We praise thee, we bless thee, Adoramus te. Glorificamus te. we worship thee, we glorify thee, Gratias agimus tibi propter magnam we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, gloriam tuam. O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Domine Deus, Rex coelestis, Deus Pater Almighty. omnipotens. O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe. O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris. that takest away the sins of the world, Qui tollis peccata mundi, have mercy upon us. miserere nobis. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, Qui tollis peccata mundi, receive our prayer. suscipe deprecationem nostram. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserere nobis. the Father, have mercy upon us. 4
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