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A Nelson Mass for the ages

R. Kunath | Illinois, USA | 08/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I haven't heard Bernstein's CBS recording of the "Mass in Time of War" (though his Bavarian Radio Symphony recording on Philips was good), and I haven't heard this CD version of the Nelson Mass. But, back in the mid-70's, I bought the LP of Bernstein's Nelson Mass, and it utterly floored me. Over the years, I bought two more copies of the LP, just because I was afraid that my record would get ruined and I wouldn't have access to this amazing performance. For me, this is the finest recording of a Haydn mass that I have ever heard, and I have most of the masses in various performances. Trevor Pinnock offers a good performance on DG, but Bernstein's performance is white-hot, with the New York Philharmonic playing as if they were possessed. A great plus to this recording is its inclusion of a restored version of the original organ part. I can't vouch for its authenticity, but I can say it is brilliant and exciting, and, once you hear it, no other performance will sound complete without it. Bernstein had a special affinity for Haydn: his "Paris" Symphonies set is excellent, and his CBS recording of "The Creation" is simply the best, despite boxy sound. But this Nelson Mass is something far more special: one of the unique moments when a work of genius is re-created with total conviction. For me, it's the best recording Bernstein ever made."

The Best Lord Nelson Mass Recording

R. Kunath | 02/07/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I sang Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass in November with the Boston University Symphonic Chorus. I wanted a good recording and that's exactly what I got. Judith Blegen is an amazing soprano and Bernstein an amazing conductor. Need I say more?"