This recording by the Gewandhaus Orchestra under Herbert Blomstedt took place based on the urtext edition, which as far as records can tell, is the nearest version to the one Beethoven intended. There were countless drafts written in Beethoven’s own hand, which apparently omitted the ‘Gloria’, so a lot of research had to be done to evaluate the large quantities of manuscripts. Nine transcriptions, verified by Beethoven, survived.

Although the premiere performance of Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis took place in 1845, it was not debuted in the Gewandhaus until 1849 in the New Year’s concert. This recording presents Blomstedt’s own performance taken from his tenure there and formed part of his Beethoven cycle during 2003.