This edition of Frank Martin’s mass is a scholarly-critical as well as a performing edition that takes all sources into account. As a matter of fact, it was only during the research for this edition that a previously unknown source was discovered and evaluated – a radio recording of the mass, which was produced in 1970 by the Dutch NCRV Vocaal Ensemble with the participation of the composer. The project also included the first public performance of the work, which took place shortly afterwards in the presence of the composer and may have inspired him to make later changes.

Martin’s manuscripts from the 1920s, as he repeatedly emphasised, were never intended for publication and were laid aside for 40 years. After the 1970 production, Martin was also involved in the preparation of the 1972 first edition, with which he was very satisfied. On the basis of extensive research into the genesis and performance history of the mass, all sources were re-evaluated in order to present a musical text that corresponds as closely as possible to Martin's intentions whilst meeting all the requirements of the performers.