Search - Jozsef Moldvai, Michael Haydn, Helmuth Rilling :: Michael Haydn: Missa Sancti Francisci; Requiem

Haydn is no longer hiding, and Rilling is thrilling

B. Brown | Jerusalem Israel | 12/18/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'm going to be a little unfair in this review, comparing Michael Haydn to Mozart, but you can't escape it when you listen to this requiem. It's unfair, (1) because Michael Haydn (Joseph's brother) preceeded Mozart and influenced him, and (2) because this requiem really shines in its own light.



However, the first thing I thought about while listening to Michael Haydn's Requiem was: Wow! Mozart's Requiem is not so unique! Of course, its qualities are one-in-a-milion, but the style is not a "sui generis". And indeed, Michael Haydn's Requiem reminds you of Mozart time and again. It is known, that it actually eas one of Mozart's foremost sources of inspiration (for the Requiem).



Michael Haydn's Requiem is very rarely performed, and you can barely find recordings of it. I found only one more rendition available - by Robert King. The Requiem is a beautiful piece of music, proboably among the most beutiful requiems, and I think it ought to be taken out of its "hiding" condition long ago.



Rilling performs it great. I didn't hear King's full recording, but I tried the beginnings of the movements in the Amazon website, and it sounds pale, compared to Rilling. Rilling gives it a much more lively, sometimes even fervent, interpretation. I liked it much more.



I would give it 4.5 stars, but since that rating does not exist - I gave it 4. Why not 5 ? - you guessed right: The inevitable comparison to Mozart did it again. Michael Haydn's work is indeed beautiful, but not an overwhelming masterpiece. If you really want to appreciate it, you must detach yourself from that compelling comparison to Mozart. I think I succeeded in it only partly...





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