Although not as well known as the
Missa Solemnis of the choral finale of the Ninth Symphony, the two works in this volume nevertheless offer striking testimony to Beethoven's ability to compose rich effective liturgical music for chorus.
Christ On The Mount Of The Olives (Christus am Oelberge), Op. 85, composed in 1803 then revised in 1804, is an oratorio for soprano, tenor and bass soloists, chorus, and orchestra.
The Mass in C, Op. 86, composed in 1807, is scored for solo vocal quartet, chorus and orchestra. Both works were produced during the period of mighty creativity (1803-1807) that saw Beethoven compose such masterworks as the Third, Fourth and Fifth Symphonies and the Fourth Piano Concerto. Now students of liturgical music, musicians and all music lovers can own these important score in one convenient volume, reproduced from the authoritative Complete Works edition published by Breitkopf & Hartel, 1864-1890
