Sanctuary Worship

The ELPC Chancel Choir will present Franz Joseph Haydn’s Little Organ Mass during our Sanctuary worship service. Haydn composed this mass in the 1770s in Eisenstadt, Germany. Accompanying the choir will be a quartet of strings and organ, led by violinist Andrew Fouts from Pittsburgh’s own Chatham Baroque.

Franz Joseph Haydn (1732–1809) was appointed Kapellmeister at the Esterházy court in 1766, following the death of Gregor Werner. Following the death of the Eisenstadt castle organist Franz Novotny in 1773, Haydn took on the duties of organist as well. Two of the masses that Haydn composed in the period following this appointment have since been given the nicknames of “Kleine Orgelmesse” and “Grosse Orgelmesse,” or the little and the big organ masses. These names have become attached to the masses because of their use of the organ in an obbligato manner as well as a continuo instrument. Haydn’s contract from 1761 stated that he was not permitted to accept outside commissions without the approval of Prince Nicolaus. However, with respect to church music, Haydn was evidently allowed more freedom to wander from the realm of the court. The Missa in honorem Beatissimae Virginis Mariae  (“Great Organ Mass”) was written for the court, but the “Little Organ Mass,” the Missa brevis Sancti Joannis de Deo, was not. Haydn’s fourteen masses are among the most popular pieces of their type in all of choral literature.

The Missa brevis Sancti Joannis de Deo (Kleine Orgelmesse), Hob. XXII: 7 was written for the Order of the Brothers of Mercy (Barmherzige Brüder), whose patron saint was Saint John of God (Joannis Cuidad, 1495-1565). This order, which had a convent in Eisenstadt, was held in great favor by Haydn. The mass was composed sometime in the mid-1770s and was presumably first performed in the chapel of Barmherzigen Brüder. The title Little Organ Mass is due to the use of the organ in a solo role in the Benedictus movement. Haydn played the organ part for the first performance.

The Gloria and Credo movements are much shorter in length in the Little Organ Mass than in other mass settings. This compression is achieved through the telescoping of the text. That is, each voice has its own line of text, so there are four voices singing different texts at the same time!

This service is held in the sanctuary on the first floor, with an organ prelude before the service. We extend a warm welcome our Latino friends and include several prayers in our service bulletin in English and Spanish. This is ELPC’s largest service, offering a traditional worship service with thought-provoking sermons, and the music of our Chancel Choir and organ to reinforce the spirit of praise and reverence. Like many of the great cathedrals of Europe, the compelling power and beauty of our historic, gothic-style Sanctuary enhances the spiritual experience. Children are invited to the chancel steps to hear their own message with one of the pastors. The service is led by ELPC’s senior pastor or other members of the pastoral staff. Special guest pastors or speakers periodically lead the service.

SEE DETAILS FOR THIS WEEK’S WORSHIP SERVICES HERE.