Great Recordings - Poor Package
A. Roth | Baltimore, MD | 07/05/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I am not sure what the previous reviewer is complaining about. I bought this set for 35 dollars a few months ago on Tower.com and have been very pleased with it. The quality of the recordings is very high and crystal clear. The playing is sharp and the singing is first rate.
Indeed, since the Brilliant Classics Haydn Edition box does not have the full masses, I consider this box essential.
In addition to the six name day masses, it has the Great and Small Organ Masses, Nicolai Mass, Cellenisis, Te Deum, Salve Regina and a smattering of other minor works.
It is, however, poorly packaged. The 8 discs are in cardboard sleeves, but the sleeves do not have track indications, so you need to look at the booklet...perhaps not the end of the world, but it is annoying to me. The booklet is nice though, informative... Not worth [...] bucks perhaps but at 35 it was a real steal."
As close to being there while Haydn conducted as your going
G. Laird | San Jose, CA | 07/05/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"A previous reviewer criticized the lack of a full sized cathedral choir in the background. True. The soloists were not of Pavarotti caliber. True. But, even if you were a member of the aristocracy and personally commissioned Haydn for these particular masses, you wouldn't hear any better. Let's get real.
Voices are reasonably crisp. Musical reproduction crisp, well metered, distinct, and reasonable body.
As for these particular compositions. I own masses by Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, and Haydn. Haydn brings far more life and "pizzaz" (for lack of a better word), then those other renown composers. So, if you are new to classical/baroque masses, I would put these at the top of your wish list, and then expand to other composers as you build out your collection. I would recommend, this particular set because it may not be perfect, but this mediocre but critical ear is sufficiently satisfied."