Schubert wrote his "Little" Mass No. 2 when he was 18 years old. Originally a simple piece accompanied only by strings and organ, it was later enhanced with the addition of trumpets and timpani, adding a touch of brilliance. The piece itself possesses a pure sound, with a simple melody that evokes deep emotion. Gounod's work, on the other hand, is a beautiful work imbued with the richness of Romantic music. While Gounod is best known for his opera "Faust," this was after he had achieved success as a musician; as a young man, he was a deeply religious man, even aspiring to become a priest. At the time, mass was held in Paris on November 22nd, "Saint Cecilia's Day," and this piece was composed for that occasion. Its beauty surpasses that of Bach-Gounod's "Ave Maria." While typically composed in seven movements, this performance appears to end quietly with the Agnus Dei, but three "Domine Salvam" movements are added in accordance with the church calendar. These sections are titled "Prayer to the Church," "Prayer to the Army," and "Prayer to the Nation," respectively. At the time of the performance, a hymn to Napoleon was sung during "Prayer to the Army." However, in modern times, the lyrics have been changed to a more universal prayer. As always, Jansons' performance is meticulously polished, allowing you to fully enjoy Schubert's simplicity and Gounod's brilliance. Orgonasova's majestic soprano voice seems a little too good for Schubert, but in Gounod, it displays a power that seems to compete with the orchestra. Elsner's beautiful, dripping voice in the Sanctus is also superb.
March 27-29, 2007, Hercules Saal, Munich [Live Recording]
