SKU: BA.BA09092

ISBN 9790006565795. 31 x 24.3 cm inches. Text Language: German, English. Preface: John Michael Cooper. Text: Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Felix (nach der Luther-Bibel und Martin Rinckart) / Monicke, Charles Henry.

Mendelssohn’s contemporaries frequently mentioned his “Hymn of Praise” in the same breath as Beethoven’s Ninth – and often enough viewed it as an imitation. Mendelssohn authority John Michael Cooper, in his extensive Introduction to this new Urtext edition, shows that the comparison is completely unfounded: with this work Mendelssohn created a new genre to which he gave the name “symphony-cantata”. Later he added a secular counterpart with “Die Erste Walpurgisnacht”.

Drawing on all relevant sources, Cooper provides a detailed account of the genesis and structure of this monumental work. Rounding off his scholarly performing edition are notes on the work’s performance, e.g. tempo, articulation and dynamics.

For the first time the piano reduction includes Mendelssohn’s authorised version of the “Sinfonia”, based on the first edition of No. 1 for piano solo.

About Barenreiter Urtext

SKU: BA.BA09038

ISBN 9790006563838. 31 x 24.3 cm inches. Text Language: Latin. Preface: Barry Cooper.

Beethoven described his grandly conceived â??Missa solemnisâ? as â??my greatest workâ? and sold manuscript copies to some of the subscribers even before it had appeared in print.

This Urtext edition takes into account all the sources including the old and the new complete editions whose relationship is clearly explained in a stemma. In several passages the renowned Beethoven specialist Barry Cooper has arrived at variant readings, such as in the â??Sanctusâ?, where the choir enters instead of the soloists, rather than coming in at â??Pleni sunt coeliâ?. No less worthy of mention is the addition of the soloists to the choir in most of the â??Credoâ?. These matters and many other editorial decisions are documented in the detailed Critical Commentary (Eng).

The appendix contains Beethovenâ??s arrangement of the Gregorian chant â??Tantum ergoâ? for the first time. This was composed at the same time as the â??Missa solemnisâ? and most probably stands in a close relation to it.

This edition is designed for everyone seeking a combination of a reliable musical text and well-founded editorial suggestions for a successful performance of this masterpiece.

About Barenreiter Urtext