Having been inspired by performances of Handel oratorios while visiting London in 1791-92 and 1794-95, Joseph Haydn determined to write one of his own and was given an English libretto entitled "The Creation," which had originally been offered to Handel years before. This libretto, whose author is still not known, was loosely based upon Biblical sources (Genesis, Pslams) and John Milton's epic "Paradise Lost." Haydn presented it to Baron Gottfried van Swieten, who adapted and translated the work into the German libretto used for the composition of the new oratorio. "Die Schopfung" occupied...

Haydn's final mass was given its premiere in Eisenstadt, at the Esterhazy 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...