Mass in B-Flat Major 'Harmoniemesse', Hob. XXII

Haydn's final mass was given its premiere in Eisenstadt, at the Esterházy place chapel on September 9th, 1802. The nickname "Harmoniemesse" derives from the German term for a wind ensemble. In contrast to the "Nelsonmesse" of 1798, a wind section was available for the orchestra used to accompany the soli and chorus, and the instruments are featured prominently. The work entered the choral repertoire almost immediately and remains a favorite to this day. The score reissued here was first published in the early 20th century by C. F. Peters of Leipzig. The keyboard reduction is adapted from the one originally made for organ by Vincent Novello in the early 1800s. IMSLP page Wikipedia article