Haydn’s rarely performed Heilig Mass concludes the LA Master Chorale’s multi-year “Homage to Haydn” project on Sunday, May 3, 2009, 7:00 p.m., at Disney Hall. It is juxtaposed by Messiaen’s extraordinary masterpiece Trois petites liturgies for women’s chorus and ondes martenot, one of the world’s first electronic instruments.

“On the surface these two works couldn’t be more different but several things make them kindred sprits,” comments Gershon, who conducts the concert. “Both composers are consummate craftsmen, meticulous in the skill and beauty of their compositional technique. Both pieces have a strong spiritual underpinning that is both personal and universal.”

The focus of the “Homage to Haydn” initiative has been for the Chorale to showcase all six of Haydn’s famous final Masses over the past three seasons in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the composer’s death in 2009. Heilig Mass, a ravishingly lyrical and beautiful work in three movements, is thought to be the first of Haydn’s six late masses.

Messiaen’s Trois petites liturgies, beautiful, ethereal, emotional and quintessentially French, has earned a reputation as one of the choral masterpieces of the 20th Century and is one of the few choral works he wrote. Among its dramatic contrasts are virtuoso piano solos, long lush passages and spinning melodies.