Haydn beseelt

Fri, 28. November 2025

The Esterházys have a new prince. Nicholas II wants to revive musical life and asks the famous former court composer, Joseph Haydn, who is known throughout Europe, if he would consider returning from London. He agrees. And for the young prince's name days, Haydn is commissioned to write a total of six solemn masses: for example, the Missa Sancti Bernardi von Offida in honor of a monk who has just been canonized. Since Haydn weaves the old hymn Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord into the Sanctus, the nickname of the mass is quickly decided: Holy Mass.

Another gift to the princess is the Paukenmesse (Timpani Mass). It gets its nickname from the muted, rhythmically relentless timpani solo in the Agnus Dei. Its official title is Mass in Times of War. After the French Revolution, Europe was in turmoil, which would escalate into the Napoleonic Wars over the next few years. These were difficult times. But the audience was delighted that Haydn was back.

Birgitte Christensen Soprano

Kristina Hammarström Alto

Jeremy Ovenden Tenor

Christian Senn Bass

Zürcher Sing-Akademie

Sebastian Breuing Repetiteur

Kammerorchester Basel

René Jacobs Conductor