Carl Friedrich Christian Fasch's Mass in 16 parts is remarkable for more than its unusual scoring. Inspired by the Italian church music style of Orazio Benevoli, it was composed in 1783 for the "Berliner Sing-Akademie", and revised by Fasch several times throughout his life in order to adapt the score to the vocal capabilities of his ensemble.

The composer destroyed all earlier compositions, which probably contributed to the legendary fame which this mass has enjoyed since the 19th century. T...