Choral
Beethoven: Mass in C
LSO0594 SACD

Beethoven Mass in C
Sir Colin Davis conductor
Sally Matthews soprano
Sara Mingardo contralto
John Mark Ainsley tenor
'a dramatic performance of a dramatic work' International Record Review
'Davis...brings out all the humanity and tenderness of the music with his customary skill ... another winner from LSO Live' Classic FM Magazine
Commissioned by Prince Nikolaus Esterházy II to celebrate his wife’s name-day in 1807, Beethoven’s early Mass in C contains some of the composer’s most sublime music for voices. Although his original treatment of the text distressed the Prince at its premiere, the Mass is now regarded as one of Beethoven’s most moving works.
- Beethoven Mass in C (pdf, 2341kB)
Digital booklet:
Price: £8.99
Reviews
'Colin Davis leads a superb quartet of soloists and brings out all the humanity and tenderness of the music with his customary skill. The London Symphony Chorus responds brilliantly ... another winner from LSO Live' Classic FM Magazine
'a dramatic performance of a dramatic work' International Record Review
‘Davis’s latest LSO Live recording of Beethoven’s Mass in C is excellent and blessed with exceptional soloists. He continually brings out the many pre-echoes of the Missa Solemnis and draws deeply committed playing from his orchestra and highly polished singing from the chorus’ Mail on Sunday
‘This LSO Live release should appeal to anyone who dismisses Beethoven’s Mass in C as an inferior ‘work in progress’ step towards the mighty Missa solemnis. Sir Colin Davis treats Beethoven’s earlier setting with as much reverence, expressive depth and commitment as is usually reserved for its successor ... The chorus is consistently impressive, its large size belied by superb homogeneity and precision. The soloists are as strong and well rounded a quartet as have ever been assembled for this work, blending beautifully in. Davis’s expert direction lovingly picks out a wealth of inner detail that often slips by unnoticed’ Classicalsource.com
‘it swells with warmth but never strives to achieve a superficial excitement which the piece doesn't contain. The London Symphony Chorus is one of the cornerstones of the recording: their sensitivity, across-the-board consistency of quality and clear diction ensures the highest standards are met … what the LSO has produced is stirring stuff and a complete bargain’ MusicalCriticism.com
Artists
Sir Colin Davis conductor
Sally Matthews Soprano
Sara Mingardo Alto
John Mark Ainsley Tenor
Alastair Miles Bass
London Symphony Chorus
London Symphony Orchestra
Recording Details
James Mallinson producer
Jonathan Stokes and Neil Hutchinson for Classic Sound Ltd sound engineers
Recorded February 2006, Barbican, London
DSD (Direct Stream Digital) recording
Notes in English/en français/auf Deutsch
Text in Latin/German with English translation
Sung in Latin (Mass in C)/German ('O welche Lust!)
Catalogue number - LSO0594
UPC - 822231159421








