Most of Franz Joseph Haydn’s (1732~1809) works written in his later years were masterpieces of vocal music. Aside from two oratorios (Creation and The Seasons) and the second The Deum, the masses he composed for Esterhazy Royal each year were the most significant ones. Marizellermesse was written in 1782. It was fourteen years later (1796) that he composed mass again. His six masses are entitled “The Last Six Mass” in music history. Each mass has its own title or an alias which reflects the circumstance at that time, and has its own character.

This study, first, is going to discuss two types of movements, i.e. five movements type and cantata mass type. Secondly, Haydn’s style of composing will be explored by dividing his career into five periods, followed by inducting the changes of his style through these fourteen years (from1782 to 1796). Thirdly, the impact of Haydn’ two trips to Britain on composing The Last Six Masses will be discussed as well. Finally, Paukenmesse will be applied as an example to show the differences of his composing techniques in the ways of organizing an orchestra, applying chorus and solo, employing the symphony pattern, and using word-painting, etc., by comparing his eight masses written before 1782 and the ones written after 1796. And, it is to see whether these techniques influence the contemporary composers and those in the future generations.