Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Here are two interesting and enjoyable pieces with several stories attached to them. The 'Missa Solemnis In C Major' is attributed to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) but on rather flimsy grounds and with little supporting evidence. It seems more likely that it was by his father Leopold (1719-1787) but, even so, there is little documentary evidence or at least little that has come down to us. What is more certain is that Simon Mayr (1763-1845) a prolific collector and respected teacher copied the score very early in the 19th century, after the death of both Mozarts. Where had Mayr found the score or was he piecing it together from memory? Lots of questions but few answers. That the noted Mayr scholar Franz Hauk has chosen to present these two pieces on one disc suggests that he thinks there is a connection. Is it important? If the Mass is by Mayr and not Mozart is it in some way diminished? I would say not but then I am not a Mozart enthusiast. I think if I had heard it without being told the source I would have said it was a Haydn Mass and as I like Haydn this would not be faint praise. The Mayr 'Te Deum In D Major' is believed to have been written for Napoleon's coronation as King Of Italy in Milan Cathedral on 26th May 1805 (and thus explaining the portrait on the front cover). Mayr is not well known today and if you have heard of him it is probably as a footnote in the history of opera. This Te Deum sounds operatic and the numerous soloists all do well. In a previous review I said that Mayr reminded me of Sir Arthur Sullivan parodying Handel. Here I think the comparison needs to be adjusted to a parody of Mozart and, again, I like Sullivan so, to these ears at least, we have two obscurities rescued from oblivion, given workmanlike performances and offered to us at a bargain price making an easy recommendation for the musically curious who like to explore off the beaten track.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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