Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791): Organ solo mass, KV 259
Mozart's "Organ Solo Mass" was probably composed in 1776 for Salzburg Cathedral. It is a special form of the "Missa brevis", which at the same time fulfils the brevity required for the liturgy at the time, but nevertheless achieves greater solemnity through an extended accompanying ensemble with wind instruments, especially trumpets and timpani, as well as an orchestra that steps out of the subordinate accompanying function.
The text-rich movements in this mass are played extremely quickly: both the Gloria and the Credo are the shortest movements of their kind in Mozart. Larger fugal sections, which take up a lot of time, are omitted, and sometimes the different lines of text are even superimposed.
After the very short movements, Mozart gives the Benedictus and Agnus Dei all the more weight. The Benedictus is also the reason why the mass is known as the "organ solo mass".
There was a certain tradition of using the organ as a solo instrument in "organ concertos", which did not differ significantly in style from other concertos for keyboard instruments of the time, as part of a church service. But the organ could also be assigned a solo role within mass compositions, usually in the Benedictus. The best-known examples are the two "organ solo masses" by Joseph Haydn. Here, Mozart not only contrasts the organ with the voice in a concertante (alternating) manner, the organ can also present itself with very independent figurations in the accompaniment of the singing voices.
In the Agnus Dei, it is the violins that step out of the accompanying role, with a solo melody in the first violin, accompanied by pizziccato in the second violin. The violins are alternately joined by solo singing and choir, without really being able to force them into the accompanying role. After a repeated alternation between major and painful minor, the mass closes with positive sounds in the prayer for peace "Dona nobis pacem".
Dr.in Maria Helfgott
Translation: Godwin Gundacker
Conductor: Martin Schebesta
Organist: Wolfgang Kogert
Choir: Vienna Boys Choir, Members of the Vienna State Opera men's choir, "Choralschola der Wiener Hofburgkapelle"
Orchestra: Members of the Vienna State Opera orchestra
Celebrant: Peter Schipka
Duration: approx. 75 min (09:15-10:30)
Ticket reservation at office@hofmusikkapelle.gv.at
Online ticket sale through Culturall:
