Mass in C major, K. 258 "Piccolomini"

The Missa brevis No. 7 in C major, K. 258, is a mass composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1776.[1] It is scored for SATB soloists, SATB choir, violin I and II, 2 oboes, 2 clarini (high trumpets), 3 trombones colla parte, timpani and basso continuo.

Missa in C major
"Piccolomini"
Mass by W. A. Mozart
The original score of this mass was discovered in the archives of the cathedral in Brixen.
Other nameSpaur Mass
CatalogueK. 258
Composed1776 (1776): Salzburg
Movements6
VocalSATB choir and soloists
Instrumental
  • orchestra
  • continuo

Although classed as a missa brevis (brief mass), the inclusion of trumpets in the scoring makes it a missa brevis et solemnis.[1]

The autograph manuscript of the mass is preserved in the Berlin State Library.

Background

The mass is often referred to as the Spaur Mass,[1][2] although this is misleading; Leopold Mozart wrote in 1778 of a mass the family nicknamed the Spaur, as Wolfgang had written it for the consecration of Count Ignaz Joseph von Spaur. However, this could refer to one of many masses, including K. 257, K. 262 and K. 275/272b.[3] The original score of this mass was discovered in the archives of the Brixen Brixen Cathedral in 2007; this provides another link to the Spaur family, some of whom held power in the Bishopric of Brixen.[4]

An alternative nickname, Piccolomini Mass, is speculated to refer to the brevity of the mass;[5] it does not appear to have any connection with the Piccolominis, a Sienese noble family.

This is one of three masses Mozart composed in November and December 1776, all set in C major, including the Credo Mass (K. 257) and the Organ Solo Mass (K. 259).[6]

Structure

The mass is divided into six movements.

  1. Kyrie Allegro, 3
    4
  2. Gloria Allegro, common time
  3. Credo Allegro, 3
    4
    "Et incarnatus est" Adagio, common time
    "Et resurrexit" Allegro, 3
    4
  4. Sanctus Andante maestoso, common time
    "Pleni sunt coeli et terra" Allegro, cut time
  5. Benedictus Allegro, cut time
  6. Agnus Dei Adagio, common time

References
  1. Sadie, Stanley (2006). Mozart: The Early Years 1756–1781. ISBN 9780198165293.
  2. Kenyon, Nicholas (2006). The Pegasus Pocket Guide to Mozart. p. 264.
  3. Gutnam, Robert (2011). Mozart. ISBN 9781446477076.
  4. "Trovata a Bressanone la partitura originale della Spaur-Messe di Mozart" [Original score of Mozart's Spaur Mass found in Bressanone] (in Italian). Provincia autonoma di Bolzano. 15 June 2007. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  5. Zaslaw, Neal; Cowdery, William (1990). The Compleat Mozart: A Guide to the Musical Works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. ISBN 9780393028867.
  6. Einstein, Alfred (1945). Mozart: His Character, His Work. p. 338. ISBN 9780195007329.
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