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Hummel Missa Solemnis and Te Deum Tower Voices; New Zealand Symphony Orchestra/Uwe Groddwith Naxos 8.557193 [57 mins] Johann Nepomuk Hummel was Haydn's successor at Esterhazy and his Missa Solemnis (1806) was one of five settings and, though unlikely to be known by readers, it was well received and is reckoned a worthy successor to Haydn's late masses, themselves still disregarded in my younger days, and an important piece to fit into the ecclesiastical jigsaw of the time. The following year the Prince was mightily dissastisfied with Beethovn's mass, " unbearably ridiculous and detestable". It is inventive and brilliantly orchestrated music, relished by the New Zealand team which has made it available at Naxos 's irresistible budget price. Recommended. |