Twin Cities Catholic Chorale

Lord Nelson Mass by Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)

Admiral Horatio Nelson trounced the French fleet in the Bay of Aboukir (Battle of the Nile) in August 1798 and was on a leisurely, roundabout journey back to Britain when he heard this Mass played at Esterhazy Palace in 1800. Haydn had composed it as the Missa in anguistiis (Mass in time of anxiety) two years earlier. By the time of the admiral’s heroic death in the Battle of Trafalgar in October 1805, it had become known as the Nelsonmesse, a nickname probably influenced by the military-sounding trumpets, soprano fireworks and jubilant finale.

The Kyrie brings the soprano soloist to the upper portion of her range with a flourish of 16th notes. This exciting beginning sets the stage for the rest of the drama that unfolds in later movements. The Credo begins with the sopranos and tenors of the Chorale singing in unison, and is later answered by the altos and basses for a beautiful duet. This continues until the Et incarnatus est. The Lord Nelson Mass ends with a peaceful and memorable Dona nobis pacem. Listen for the calming influence of this movement after the dramatic moments earlier in this Mass. 

The Chorale has been presenting full seasons (October through June with the exception of Advent and Lent) of choral Masses with orchestration by the great composers of the 18th and 19th centuries during the 10 a.m. Latin High Mass at St. Agnes for 38 years. The Chorale is led by Dr. Robert Peterson and composed of professional soloists and instrumentalists and a trained volunteer choir.