Editors’ choice
opinion
Recommendations for Michael Haydn’s short liturgical works
The Proprium Missæ project will eventually provide editions of all short liturgical works by Michael Haydn. Now that the first phase of this project comes to a close, it is time to recommend some fascinating works.
Graduals
The gradual that has fascinated me most is Exultabunt sancti (370), a vivid account of Haydn’s creativity. Written in E minor (3/8 time signature), it is a highly dramatic piece that culminates in a surprisingly chromatic Alleluia.
The following works are also of extraordinary interest:
- 341: Viderunt omnes (polyphonic)
- 342: Laudate pueri (for female chorus)
- 344: Hic est discipulus ille
- 345: Ecce sacerdos magnus
- 351: Salvos fac nos
- 360: Dolorosa et lacrymabilis es (extremely sad and colorful)
- 365: Alleluia, ascendit Deus
- 381: Benedicite Dominum
- 385: Timete Dominum (finishes with an allebreve fugue)
- 442: Universi qui te expectant
- 453: Tribulationes cordis mei
- 497: Timebunt gentes (6/8 time signature)
- 638: Gaude virgo mater Christi
- 827: Domine Deus salutis meæ (a 4 voci in canone)
Offertoria
Antiphons
Sequences
- 400: Læta quies magni ducis
(But really, all of them are interesting!).
Hymns
- 800: Te Deum