Mass in C major, K. 262 "Missa longa"

The Missa longa in C major, K. 262/246a, is a mass composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in May 1776.[1] Other sources claim it was composed in May 1775.[2] It is scored for SATB soloists, SATB choir, violin I and II, 2 oboes, 2 horns, 2 clarini (high trumpets), 3 trombones colla parte, timpani and basso continuo.

Missa longa in C major
Mass by W. A. Mozart
Salzburg Cathedral may have been the first performance venue of the mass.
CatalogueK. 262/246a
Composed1775 (1775): Salzburg
Movements6
VocalSATB choir and soloists
Instrumental
  • orchestra
  • continuo

The mass is classed as a missa longa due to its length. However, due to its lack of extended writing for the solo parts, it has also been categorised as a missa brevis.[1] The occasion the mass was composed for remains debatable. It may have been composed at the Archbishop Colloredo's request for a special occasion at the Salzburg Cathedral, or at the directive of a different priest – Colloredo's preference for brief settings makes it unlikely that he would have approved of the missa longa.[3][4] Alternatively, it may have been composed for performance at St Peter's Church.[1][2]

The mass is divided into six movements.

  1. Kyrie Allegro moderato, C major, common time
  2. Gloria Allegro con spiritu, C major, common time
    "Qui tollis peccata mundi" Andante, G minor, 3/4
    "Quoniam tu solus Sanctus" Allegro con spiritu, C major, common time
  3. Credo Allegro, C major, 3/4
    "Et incarnatus est" Adagio, C major, common time
    "Et resurrexit" Allegro molto, C major, common time
    "Et in Spiritum Sanctum Dominum" Allegro, G major, 3/4
    "Et unam sanctam" Allegro, C major, 3/4
    "Et vitam venturi saeculi" Allegro, C major, cut common time
  4. Sanctus Andantino, C major, 3/4
  5. Benedictus Andantino, F major, 3/4
  6. Agnus Dei Andante, C major, common time
    "Dona nobis pacem" Allegro, C major, common time

References
  1. Einstein, Alfred (1945). Mozart: His Character, His Work. p. 338.
  2. Sadie, Stanley (2006). Mozart: The Early Years 1756–1781. p. 276.
  3. Sadie, Stanley (2006). Mozart: The Early Years 1756–1781. p. 387.
  4. Kenyon, Nicholas (2006). The Pegasus Pocket Guide to Mozart. p. 63.

Further reading
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