Mayr’s Masses were in demand across Europe, and their composition is rooted in the Italian tradition of the messa concertata which demands division into separate vocal numbers. The Mass in E minor has long been recognised as an outstanding example of Mayr’s late style, with its polyphonic mastery and dialogues between singers and concertante solo instruments being exceptionally convincing. The Mass in F minor evokes both joy and deep melancholy, though accompanied, as always, by Mayr’s notable gift for melodic beauty.

Conductor Franz Hauk has been responsible for re-establishing the music of Johann Simon Mayr, one of the most significant operatic and vocal composers residing in Italy before the rise of Rossini. This latest album is another in the series of ground-breaking world premiere recordings of Mayr’s music by the same forces under Hauk.

The famous Mass in E flat major is on 8574057 and was a MusicWeb International nominee for 2020 ‘Recording of the Year’. Fanfare wrote of the release: ‘The performance is splendid. Hauk has certainly developed a sense of Mayr’s style, and his forces respond to his insightful reading. The sound is outstanding.’

Of the Stabat Mater recording on 8573781, the American Record Guide commented: ‘Hauk conducts here with fine command and awareness of the shifting moods of the text. The vocal soloists were well chosen for clarity and sweetness, and are generally capable – though never quite virtuosic – in the florid passages.’