Missa in honorem Sanctae Ursulae MH 546

Among Haydn’s over thirty settings of the Latin Ordinary, the Missa in honorem Sanctae Ursula occupies an outstanding position, which, according to the autograph, was completed on 5 August 1793. This Mass has been referred to as the most “Mozartian” of all his masses. With its song-like melodic character, the unity of the motivic material and the harmonius balance between festive and reflective sections this Mass is one of Haydn’s most successful and inspired works. This work, which in addition to the usual Salzburg “church trio” includes two trumpets and timpani, belongs to the category of “Missa solemnis.” The popular nickname Chiemsee-Messe is bound up with the history ofthe origins of the work. Haydn wrote the Mass for the musically gifted nun, Sebastiana Oswald, who belonged to the Benedictine cloister of Frauenchiemsee. This work soon found widespread acceptance beyond the originally intended sphere of its origins, as is indicated by the numerous copies found in Austrian convents.