"The A-flat major Mass is one of two great, late masses by Franz Schubert, the other being in E-flat ... These are both big works, each of which Schubert designated as a "missa solemnis," and which have received a number of fine recordings. I can happily add this new account by the redoubtable Frieder Bernius and his Stuttgart forces to a list of outstanding performances of the A flat Mass ... One can enjoy this new account of one of Schubert's most memorable, songful masterpieces in a superb rendition and not feel short-changed".