Joseph Mayseder, solo violinist of the Vienna Hofoper Orchestra and since 1830 concertmaster of the Vienna Court Orchestra, composed numerous violin pieces and chamber music, and as significant late work the Mass in E-flat major, Op. 64 for mixed choir and orchestra. Mayseder renounces the usual singing solos in favor of the choir. The premiere of the mass took place in 1848 in the Vienna Hofburgkapelle. It was performed from 1875 to 1935 on 49 New Year's days and therefore was given the nickname 'New Year's Mass'. Performing musicians include the Vienna Boys Choir, the Men's Choir of the Vienna State Opera, and members of the Hofmusikkapelle under the direction of the Viennese violinist and conductor Thomas Christian, who also appears as a soloist in the Violin Concerto No. 2, which is also to be heard on this recording.