Schubert wrote his Deutsche Messe in simple fashion so that it could be sung by unskilled church congregations. The work merely comprises a succession of hymn-like homophonic choruses, supported by wind ensemble, timpani and organ. In his EMI performance Sawallisch excludes four verses which are included by Creed; one each from the Introit and the Agnus Dei, and two from the Evangelium and Credo. But Sawallisch does include the ''Lord's Prayer'' Epilogue, which is not performed in Creed's version. In general Sawallisch shapes the music with a little more flair than Creed, and he does try to introduce more contrast between the work's sections. But his Bavarian choir are inferior to Creed's Berlin group, and have poorer tone and sopranos with too much vibrato for a church work. Creed's disc also includes an effective performance of the rousing, outgoing Magnificat, with four excellent soloists, chorus and orchestra, a well-shaped account of the early Stabat mater, for chorus, orchestra and organ, and what is possibly Schubert's last work, Intende voci, an Offertorium for tenor, chorus and orchestra. This is given a rather plain performance, with Werner Hollweg merely efficient in the solo part.
Capriccio's recording is pleasantly natural in tone, and slightly less full than the recording on EMl's disc, which also includes vivid performances by Sawallisch of the Hymn to the Holy Ghost, D964, the Mass in G, D167, and three shorter pieces. Both discs can be recommended, and choice will no doubt be determined by the different couplings for the Deutsche Messe.'