"Hickox und sein feines Team von Solisten, Chor und Orchester (im Originalklang) machen Haydns Inspiration hörbar. Besonders die Nikolai-Messe, die mit einem lyirschen 'Dona nobis pacem' abschliesst, weist auf seine zukünftigen Werke hin." (Penguin Guide)

"The playing of the Rebel Baroque Orchestra is excellent. It crackles with high-spirited energy, and exhibits a tonal richness and accuracy of pitch not always associated with period-instrument ensembles. New York’s Trinity Choir is a mixed chorus of 22 voices (according to the booklet photo), which is about the right size and weight to give Haydn’s choral writing sufficient bulk without muddying the contrapuntal interplay between sections of the ensemble. Unfortunately, the reverb of New York’s Trinity Church, the recording venue, tends to obscure the words being sung. The problem is less pronounced for the vocal soloists, whose diction remains clear.

If you’re interested in only these two masses, and at a bargain price—except for the above-noted problem of the choir’s words being swallowed up by the reverb—this Naxos rerelease is a good buy. The Rebel players are top-notch, no reservations aside." (Fanfare)