Composer

:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Mass

Compose Date

:

1776

Average_duration

:

29:06

Movement_count

:

7

Movement ....

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed his Mass No. 13 in C major, also known as Missa Longa, K. 262 (246a), in Salzburg in 1776. The piece was premiered on Easter Sunday of the same year at the Salzburg Cathedral, with Mozart himself conducting the performance. The Missa Longa is a large-scale work, consisting of six movements: Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus, and Agnus Dei. The piece is scored for four soloists (soprano, alto, tenor, and bass), a mixed choir, and a large orchestra, including trumpets, timpani, and strings. The Missa Longa is characterized by its grandeur and solemnity, reflecting the liturgical context for which it was composed. The Kyrie, for example, begins with a majestic choral statement, followed by a fugue that showcases Mozart's contrapuntal skills. The Gloria is similarly grand, with a jubilant opening chorus and a lyrical soprano solo in the Gratias agimus tibi section. The Credo is the longest movement of the Mass, and it is notable for its use of chromaticism and dissonance, particularly in the Crucifixus section. The Sanctus is a joyful and celebratory movement, featuring a lively choral fugue and a soaring soprano solo in the Hosanna section. The Benedictus is a lyrical and expressive movement, with a beautiful duet for soprano and tenor accompanied by a solo violin. The Agnus Dei is a solemn and prayerful conclusion to the Mass, with a hauntingly beautiful choral setting of the text. Overall, the Missa Longa is a masterful example of Mozart's sacred music, showcasing his skillful use of counterpoint, his ability to create grand and solemn musical gestures, and his sensitivity to the liturgical context of the Mass.

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