Franz Joseph Haydn

“With fresh, inspiriting work from soloists, chorus and orchestra, the performance of the so-called Heiligmesse captures the symphonic impetus and the spiritual and physical exhilaration of this gloriously life-affirming music.
Hickox opts for Haydn's original scoring, minus the horn parts and the enhanced parts for clarinets that he later added for a performance in Vienna's Court Chapel. Hickox is ever responsive to the drama and colour of Haydn's orchestral writing, while the 24-strong chorus sings with firm, well-nourished tone over a wide dynamic range and a real care for the meaning of the text. The many high-lying entries are always true, never strained or overblown, and the sopranos rise unflinchingly to their frequent high B flats. The soloists have less to do here than in Haydn's other late Masses: but, led by the plangent, beseeching soprano of Lorna Anderson, they sing with a chamber-music grace and intimacy.
The appealing Missa brevis is cast in the 'pastoral' key of G major. Again, the soloists make their mark both individually and in ensemble, with Anderson floating a beautiful line in the 'Gratias' and Mark Padmore launching the expressive G minor 'Et incarnatus est' with gently rounded tone and graceful phrasing. The recorded sound is clear, spacious and carefully balanced, combining vivid orchestral detail with plenty of impact from the chorus.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010