Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791): Mass in B-flat major, KV 275
The Missa brevis in B flat major was the last mass that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart completed before embarking on his long journey to Mannheim and Paris on 23 September 1777. It was therefore also composed at a time of fierce disputes with Salzburg's Prince Archbishop Hieronymus Count Colloredo and Mozart's resignation from court service. It is not known whether the mass was performed in his presence in Salzburg. In any case, a performance on the fourth Sunday of Advent 1777 in the collegiate church of St Peter in Salzburg has been recorded. The soloist was the soprano castrato Francesco Ceccarelli, who had only just been employed at the Salzburg court at the time and who, as Leopold Mozart noted in a letter, "sang incomparably". Even though there was already criticism at this time, castrati were still an important part of musical life in the 18th century, both on the opera stage and in church music, where they and the choirboys sang the upper voices.
As a "Missa brevis", the B flat major Mass is limited in scope. It has a cheerful, at times almost folksy character, which is also due to the fact that it is composed in a major key and not in a "serious" church key or minor. Despite the necessarily streamlined structure, Mozart does not refrain from a fine orchestration; the soprano solo of the Benedictus deserves special mention, as this was probably the passage in which Ceccarelli was able to showcase himself as a soloist.
The Missa brevis in B flat major is one of the last three masses Mozart completed. He himself must have held it in high esteem, as he liked to use it whenever he had the opportunity to perform masses later on. The short performance time, the positively festive character and the relative ease of performance helped the mass to become one of Mozart's most frequently performed masses.
Dr.in Maria Helfgott
Translation: Godwin Gundacker
Conductor: Christoph Campestrini
Organist: Elke Eckerstorfer
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
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