Robert Schumann wrote the Mass in February and March 1852, directly before the Requiem op. 148. It is written for solo voices, choir and orchestra.Parts of the Mass were rehearsed with his "Singekränzchen" for the first time on April 18, 1852. But his hopes of having it ready for performance in the early summer were dashed by ill health, and it was not until the beginning of the next year that he was able to conduct renewed rehearsals and then perform the Kyrie and Gloria sections at the Geissler Hall on March3, 1853.
Schumann did not live to hear his only Mass performed in its entirety. And even after his death in 1856, obstacles stood in the way of its gaining widespread acceptance.
Clara Schumann herself finally sought to dispel the reservations Johannes Brahms and Joseph Joachim had expressed regarding its publication.
After the Aachen premiere under the baton of Franz Wüllner in July 1861, she wrote to Brahms: "You can't imagine how beautiful it sounds. Certain lines in the Sanctus have such a wonderful effect that cold shivers run down your spine."
The Compact Disc was released by Capriccio, 2002, (DDD). Capriccio 67001.
Soprano: Anke Hoffmann
Tenor: Hein Heidbüchel
Bass: Franz Gerihsen
WDR Rundfunkchor Köln, WDR Rundfunkorchester Köln, Conductor: Helmuth Froschauer
Track List:
(11) 1. Kyrie (4'04")
(12) 2. Gloria (8'59")
(13) 3. Credo (7'26")
(14) 4. Offertorium (2'17")
(15) 5. Sanctus (10'24")
(16) 6. Agnus Dei (4'40")
