Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus : Missa

Mozartës ìMissa in C major2 K. 337î is similar to the ìCoronation Massî K. 317 in its instrumentation, the occasion for its composition and its duration: In March 1780, approximately one year after the ìCoronation Massî, the ìMissa in C Majorî along with a church sonata (K. 336/336d) was also intended for the Easter Solemn Mass at the Salzburg Cathedral. The occasion demanded a festive orchestration with oboes, solo bassoon, trumpets and timpani. In its scope, the work is similar to the mass cycle of the previous year and is tailored to the Salzburg sacred music customs under Archbishop Hieronymus of Colloredo: The mass demanded the orchestration of a ìMissa solemnisî, although its duration is closer to that of a ìMissa brevisî.The work is characterized by the strictly contrapuntal ìBenedictusî, which stands in stark contrast to the ìAgnus Deiî. The organ is used in a soloistic manner and in alternation with the concertante wind instruments forms a framework for the coloratura solo soprano.