Mozart: Mass in C Minor, K. 427, Great Mass

The Große Messe (German, lit. Great Mass) No. 17 in C minor K. 427 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is the best-known and most widely performed of Mozart's mass settings, and is considered one of the composer's major works. It is often referred to as the "C Minor Mass".
The work was composed in 1782-1783. It embodies all of the pomp and solemnity associated with the Salzburg traditions of the time, but it also anticipates the symphonic masses of Haydn in its solo-choral sharing. The mass shows the influence of Bach and Handel, whose music Mozart was studying at this time.
The Mass was written as a result of a vow Mozart made with himself in relation to his wife Constanze and his father Leopold and their strained relationship. The Mass was first performed in the Church of St. Peter's Abbey in Salzburg on 26th October 1783. The premiere took place in its natural context of a Roman Catholic mass, and the performers were members of the "Hofmusik", that is the musicians employed at the court of Salzburg's ruler, Prince-Archbishop Hieronymus Colloredo. The soprano solos at the première were sung by Mozart's wife Constance. There was a rehearsal in the nearby Kapellhaus on 23 October.
The work is incomplete, missing all of the Credo following the aria "Et incarnatus est" (the orchestration of the Credo is also incomplete) and all of the Agnus Dei. The Sanctus is partially lost and requires editorial reconstruction. There is a good deal of speculation concerning why the work was left unfinished. Given the absolute necessity of a complete text for liturgical use, it is likely that Mozart spliced in movements from his earlier Masses for the premiere.
Mozart later reused the music from the Kyrie and Gloria, almost without changes except for the text, in the cantata "Davidde Penitente" K. 469.

Download Links:

01. Benedictus
02. Domine
03. Et Incarnatus Est
04. Gloria In Excelsis
05. Gratias
06. Jesu Christe - Cum Sancto Spiritu
07. Kyrie
08. Laudamus Te
09. Osanna
10. Qui Tollis
11. Quoniam
12. Sanctus