Joseph Haydn: Missa in tempore belli

Prayer for peace in a time of war

Experience some of the Norways's leading young singers perform expressive music by Joseph Haydn with excellent musicians and conductor Grete Pedersen.

Missa in tempore belli (Mass in time of war) is also known as Paukenmesse because of its extensive and dramatic use of timpani. The choir performs with great power and has a central place in the piece.

The mass is performed in a chamber version by a string quintet consisting of some of our most talented young musicians, trumpets and timpani.

Missa in tempore belli was composed in 1796, a troubled time in Europe. Austrian forces were attacked on two fronts by Napoleon and for the first time since the 17th century the country was again under occupation.

It was against this troubled backdrop that 64-year-old Joseph Haydn composed his timpani mass. The timpani solo in the piece is followed by triumphant trumpet fanfares leading into the expressive dona nobis pacem ("give us peace").

Joseph Haydn was one of the most significant, innovative and productive composers of his time and had enormous importance for the composers who came after him.