Composer

:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Kyrie

Compose Date

:

1779

Average_duration

:

3:02

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's 'Kyrie for chorus & orchestra in C major (fragment), K. Anh. 15 (323)' is a short piece of sacred music that was composed in Salzburg, Austria, in 1773. The exact date of composition is not known, but it is believed to have been written in the summer or fall of that year. The piece was never completed, and only the first movement, the Kyrie, survives. The 'Kyrie for chorus & orchestra in C major' was first performed in Salzburg, probably in the fall of 1773. The premiere was likely a private performance for the Archbishop of Salzburg, who was Mozart's patron at the time. The piece was not published during Mozart's lifetime, and it was not until the 20th century that it was rediscovered and given a catalog number (K. Anh. 15 or K. 323). The 'Kyrie for chorus & orchestra in C major' is a short piece, lasting only about three minutes. It is written for a four-part choir (soprano, alto, tenor, and bass) and a small orchestra consisting of two oboes, two horns, and strings. The piece is in C major and is in a simple, homophonic style. The Kyrie is the first movement of the Catholic Mass, and it is a prayer for mercy. The text of the Kyrie is in Greek and is repeated three times: Kyrie eleison (Lord, have mercy), Christe eleison (Christ, have mercy), Kyrie eleison (Lord, have mercy). Mozart's setting of the Kyrie is simple and elegant, with a gentle melody that is passed between the choir and the orchestra. The piece begins with a slow, stately introduction that sets the mood for the prayerful text. One of the characteristics of Mozart's 'Kyrie for chorus & orchestra in C major' is its simplicity. The piece is not overly complex or ornate, but rather it is a straightforward setting of the Kyrie text. The melody is simple and easy to sing, and the orchestration is light and transparent. Another characteristic of the piece is its elegance. Despite its simplicity, the 'Kyrie for chorus & orchestra in C major' is a beautiful and graceful piece of music that showcases Mozart's skill as a composer. In conclusion, Mozart's 'Kyrie for chorus & orchestra in C major (fragment), K. Anh. 15 (323)' is a short but elegant piece of sacred music that was composed in Salzburg in 1773. The piece was never completed, and only the first movement, the Kyrie, survives. The 'Kyrie for chorus & orchestra in C major' is a simple and graceful setting of the Kyrie text, with a gentle melody that is passed between the choir and the orchestra. Despite its brevity, the piece is a beautiful example of Mozart's skill as a composer.

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