Heilig-Messe-Bernard of Offida 1604 1694 was a Capuchin monk whose saintly life and devotion to the sick and poor caused him to be beatified by Pope Pius VI on 19 May 1795. St. Bernard s name day falls on the 11th of September (a Saturday in 1797) and it is generally thought that Haydn combined doing honour to the Capuchin monk with the production of a new Mass for his patron the day thereafter.The Heiligmesse has always been one of Haydn s most admired works. Its dignity its strength (we draw special attention to the extraordinary Gratias with its brilliant contrapuntal writing) the subdued orchestral grandeur to whichthe B-flat Trumpets contribute a silvery but unmartial weight all these have made it one of Haydn s most serious and most deeply sensitive church works: its constant popularity in Viennese churches is quite deserved.- Urtext of the Joseph Haydn Complete Edition.- Full score together with Missa brevis Sti Joannis de Deo (Little Organ Mass) (Hob.XXII:7) Missa Cellensis (Mariazeller-Messe) (Hob.XXII:8) Missa in Tempore Belli (Pauken mass) (Hob.XXII:9)- Performance material (BA4651) vocal score (BA4651-90) available for sale.
