Michael Haydn

Missa in C sub titulo Sti. Michaelis MH 12

Johann Michael Haydn's masses are masterpieces of their genre. Carus is publishing these important works in Urtext editions. Of the thirty masses, almost two thirds contain a saint's name as part of their title. The names relate to the dedications of monasteries or parish churches, name days, ordinations or consecrations, diocesan patron saints, or anniversaries. Three masses with the names of Archangels survive (Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael), all early compositions by Haydn in the concise Missa Brevis form. He probably composed the Michaelsmesse MH 12 in Vienna before 1758. This mass belongs to the festive type 'brevis et solemnis' because of its scoring with two trumpets.