JOSEPH HAYDN JOSEPH HAYDN

JOSEPH HAYDNENGLISH10reason, Haydn used only four ofthe 24 stanzas of the sequence.The Responsoria are traditionallyalmost always performed homophonically,with the exceptionof the »Sit laus plena«, which containsseveral contrasting rhythms.It is not known whether Haydnwrote the works for exclusiveuse in churches or also for theopen-air processions which havebeen customary since the MiddleAges. In the latter case, however,the organ would have been ratherout of place.The »Ave regina coelorum« waspresumably written before 1770;the famous catalogue of Anthonyvan Hoboken places a query nextto the year 1763. It is scored forsolo soprano, three- and four-partchoir, two violins and organ. TheMarian antiphon »Ave Regina« issung in the Catholic church fromCandlemas to Holy Thursday.Haydn treats the text in threesections. After a twenty-bar preludein Andante (A major), the solosoprano takes over the theme. Themiddle movement in Allegro inD major is purely choral. Theclosing movement is again slow,an Adagio in the home key of Amajor in which the very agile sopranopart and solemn Baroquechoral writing combine.Stuttgart Chamber ChoirThe Stuttgart Chamber Choirunder the direction of ProfessorFrieder Bernius is one of the finestand best known vocal ensemblesin the world. Depending on themusic being presented, its mainlyprofessional singers perform as anensemble of sixteen soloists, asmall Baroque choir or a largeoratorio choir. Some ten projectsare tackled each year, withconcerts at all the major Europeanfestivals. The choir has many timestoured the USA, Canada, Israel,