Rediscovered Ammann Mass
On the occasion of the canonization of Niklaus von Flüe, a twelve-part mass by Swiss composer Benno Ammann was premiered in Rome in 1947. The work, which subsequently fell into oblivion, was rediscovered by the Balser Madrigalisten.
Ammann's mass (1904-1986) was premiered in Rome on the occasion of the canonization of Niklaus von Flüe. According to the Basel madrigalists, its significance is "extremely highly valued both in Switzerland and internationally and has been discussed in specialist journals". After the discovery of Frank Martin's Mass, this is the most significant find of recent years in terms of mass settings in Switzerland in the mid-20th century.
The Basler Madrigalisten are now realizing the Swiss premiere of Ammann's Missa "Defensor Pacis" ad 6-12 voces inaequales in honorem Sancti Nicolai Helvetii Eremitaewhich, in the Palestrina style, is regarded as the high point of his church music.
More info:
www.basler-madrigalisten.ch
