
Missa brevis in D by Wolfgang Amadeuse Mozart (1756 – 1791)
On March 27, the Third Sunday of Lent, the St. Mary’s Adult Choir, soloists and string trio will present Mozart’s Missa brevis in D at the 10:00 a.m. service.
A Missa brevis (Short Mass) is a musical setting of the Ordinary texts of the Mass – Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei – which provide the liturgical backbone of the service and remain constant each week. In contrast, the Propers of the Mass are the texts that change according to the Sunday of the Church Year. On March 27 the St. Mary’s Choir will sing the Ordinary of the Mass in its liturgical context interspersed throughout the service.
Mozart composed the Missa brevis in D for the Salzburg Cathedral during the summer of 1774 when he was still a teenager. The work is scored for chorus, soloists and a “church trio” consisting of two violins, cello and organ. The strings both accompany the voices and provide independent motifs that supplement the vocal parts.
The Missa brevis in D was the first of Mozart’s masses to be published, printed initially in 1793. Because of its expressive character and melodic lines it has remained one of Mozart’s well-known sacred works. As you embark on your Lenten journey this year, please plan to join us at St. Mary’s on Sunday, March 27 for a service of musical and spiritual refreshment.
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