 The English born composer Frederick Delius formally chose for his work the German title "Eine Messe des Lebens" (primarily Delius wanted the title "Lebensmesse" but changed this because Richard Dehmel - German author - persisted on his invention and copyright of "Lebensmesse").The original title "Eine Messe des Lebens" was used regularly by Sir Thomas Beecham who conducted the first complete performance of the work in London in 1909.Eine Messe des Lebens is the largest of Delius's concert works, written for four SATB soloists, double choir and orchestra.