Mass in C major for four solo voices, chorus and orchestra op. 86
Listening samples
Dedication
Composition
Begun not later than winter 1806, finished before 13 September 1807
Beethoven wrote his first sacred work, the C-major Mass, to satisfy a commission from Joseph Haydns long-time employer Prince Nikolaus II Esterházy von Galantha (1765-1833), who ordered the piece for the name day of his wife, Princess Josepha Maria Hermenegild. Every year, St. Mary's Name (Sunday after September, 8th), a Mass was celebrated with special musical accompaniment. Between 1796 and 1802, it was Haydn who provided the music and set the standard. When Beethoven accepted the commission in spring 1807, he displayed great respect for Haydn, writing Esterházy in July 1807 that he would 'deliver the Mass with great apprehension, since Your Excellency is accustomed to hearing the inimitable masterpieces of the great Haydn'.
Beethoven's worries were justified. Not that his composing skills weren't up to the level of those of his former teacher yet. And not that he didn't appreciate composing masses. He later even emphasised to publisher Härtel that he cared for it in particular. Nevertheless, he didn't meet Esterházy's taste at all, which resulted in Esterházy being absolutely dissatisfied with the composition. After the ceremonial service in Eisenstadt on September 13, 1807, he reprimanded the composer: "But, dear Beethoven, what have you done again?" Prince Nikolaus voiced his criticism more explicitly in a letter to Countess Henriette Zielinska: "La messe de Beethoven est insuportablement ridicule et detestable, je ne suis pas convaincu qu'elle puisse meme paroitre honêtement: J'en suis colerè et honteux" (Beethoven's mass is unbearably ridiculous and awful. I am not even sure it can be called honourable. I am angry and ashamed).
Beethoven, however, was not intimidated by the Prince’s judgement and believed in the quality of his composition. "I do not like to say anything about my Mass, or indeed about myself, but I believe that I have treated the text in a way that few have done before," he proudly declared to the publisher Härtel in Leipzig. Posterity, too, has done justice to the Mass. No one would now describe Op. 86 as ridiculous, hideous or infuriating. (J.R.)
Beethoven's worries were justified. Not that his composing skills weren't up to the level of those of his former teacher yet. And not that he didn't appreciate composing masses. He later even emphasised to publisher Härtel that he cared for it in particular. Nevertheless, he didn't meet Esterházy's taste at all, which resulted in Esterházy being absolutely dissatisfied with the composition. After the ceremonial service in Eisenstadt on September 13, 1807, he reprimanded the composer: "But, dear Beethoven, what have you done again?" Prince Nikolaus voiced his criticism more explicitly in a letter to Countess Henriette Zielinska: "La messe de Beethoven est insuportablement ridicule et detestable, je ne suis pas convaincu qu'elle puisse meme paroitre honêtement: J'en suis colerè et honteux" (Beethoven's mass is unbearably ridiculous and awful. I am not even sure it can be called honourable. I am angry and ashamed).
Beethoven, however, was not intimidated by the Prince’s judgement and believed in the quality of his composition. "I do not like to say anything about my Mass, or indeed about myself, but I believe that I have treated the text in a way that few have done before," he proudly declared to the publisher Härtel in Leipzig. Posterity, too, has done justice to the Mass. No one would now describe Op. 86 as ridiculous, hideous or infuriating. (J.R.)
