The Esterhazy Masses of Johann Nepomuk Fuchs (1766-1839)
Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 3:14 pm
The Esterhazy Masses were composed between 1796 - 1810 by four composers, Joseph Haydn, Johann Nepomuk Hummel, Ludwig Van Beethoven & Johann Nepomuk Fuchs.
The 6 Masses of Haydn & Beethovens lone effort are well known, Hummel's Four Masses have recently been recorded by Chandos and may re-enter the repertoire.
This leaves only the Masses of Johann Nepomuk Fuchs (1766-1839). This is a composer I personally know little of beyond the fact that he was Hadyn's deputy and along with Hummel & Liuigi Tomasini formed the triumvirate that ran the Esterhazy Kappelle after Hadyn was forced to retire due to illness in 1802.
My research to date indicates that Fuchs wrote at least three Mass settings, the first in 1797. What I do not know is whether or not the scores were ever printed. I would be most interested in seeing copies, not only to confirm which Key(s) he chose to set the text in, but in the hope that someone will attempt to perform them. The list below summarizes what I know.
Esterhazy Masses
1796. Mass in B-flat major "Heiligmesse" (Haydn)
1796. Mass in C-major "Paukenmesse" (Haydn)
1797. (?) Mass (Key unknown) (Fuchs)
1798. Mass in D-minor "Nelsonmesse "(Haydn)
1799. Mass in B-flat major "Theresienmesse"(Haydn)
1800. ?
1801. Mass in B-flat major "Schöpfungsmesse"(Haydn)
1802. Mass in B-flat major "Harmoniemesse"(Haydn)
1803. ?
1804. Mass in E-flat Op. 80 (Hummel)
1805. (?)Mass in D-minor WoO 13 (Hummel)
1806. ?
1807. Mass in C-major Op. 86 (Beethoven)
1808. Mass in D Op. 111 (Hummel)
1809. ?
1810. Mass in B-flat Op. 77 (Hummel)
The 6 Masses of Haydn & Beethovens lone effort are well known, Hummel's Four Masses have recently been recorded by Chandos and may re-enter the repertoire.
This leaves only the Masses of Johann Nepomuk Fuchs (1766-1839). This is a composer I personally know little of beyond the fact that he was Hadyn's deputy and along with Hummel & Liuigi Tomasini formed the triumvirate that ran the Esterhazy Kappelle after Hadyn was forced to retire due to illness in 1802.
My research to date indicates that Fuchs wrote at least three Mass settings, the first in 1797. What I do not know is whether or not the scores were ever printed. I would be most interested in seeing copies, not only to confirm which Key(s) he chose to set the text in, but in the hope that someone will attempt to perform them. The list below summarizes what I know.
Esterhazy Masses
1796. Mass in B-flat major "Heiligmesse" (Haydn)
1796. Mass in C-major "Paukenmesse" (Haydn)
1797. (?) Mass (Key unknown) (Fuchs)
1798. Mass in D-minor "Nelsonmesse "(Haydn)
1799. Mass in B-flat major "Theresienmesse"(Haydn)
1800. ?
1801. Mass in B-flat major "Schöpfungsmesse"(Haydn)
1802. Mass in B-flat major "Harmoniemesse"(Haydn)
1803. ?
1804. Mass in E-flat Op. 80 (Hummel)
1805. (?)Mass in D-minor WoO 13 (Hummel)
1806. ?
1807. Mass in C-major Op. 86 (Beethoven)
1808. Mass in D Op. 111 (Hummel)
1809. ?
1810. Mass in B-flat Op. 77 (Hummel)