Beethoven’s Mass in C received a chilly reception when it was first performed before Princess Maria and Prince Nicolaus Esterhazy in 1807. The prince, used as he was to Haydn’s perhaps more immediately accessible masses, allegedly made his displeasure known to Beethoven, causing him to storm out in a huff.

The Mass in C is a big sing for the choir, and who knows how much chance the Esterhazy singers had to rehearse. That certainly didn’t seem to be a problem for the OSJ Voices in their performance at this year’s Music in the Abbey festival. There was much confident singing, and some cracking entries — at the start of the Gloria for instance. Perhaps one of Prince Esterhazy’s problems was that much of the choral writing is delivered at full volume — judging by the OSJ performance, he would have had trouble in dozing off.

The Orchestra of St John’s itself supplied solid underlying support — only in the Agnus Dei does a characterful clarinet solo pop up; otherwise Beethoven seems keen to avoid any risk of competition between choir and orchestra. Similarly, it was only in the Benedictus that the soloists — Luci Briginshaw, Christine Sjolander, John Pierce and David Pike — got a real chance to show their well-matched metal. OSJ Voices chorus master Jeremy Jackman conducted with gusto, and developed a spacious and fluid performance.

While the Mass in C is not that well known, the other work in the concert, Beethoven’s Violin Concerto is perennially popular. OSJ leader Jan Schmolk was the soloist in another spacious performance, this time with OSJ artistic director John Lubbock (left) conducting. Schmolk is one of those rare players who can articulate every detail without ever losing the flow or mood of the music. This was a lyrical and tender performance, enhanced by a meeting of musical minds between soloist, conductor, and orchestra.