Overview
Introduction
The Missa solemnis in C major, K. 66, is a mass composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1769. It is scored for SATB soloists and choir, violins I and II, viola, 2 oboes, 2 horns, 2 clarini (high trumpets), 2 trumpets and basso continuo.
Mozart composed the mass for the ordination of Cajetan Hagenauer, son of Lorenz Hagenauer, the Mozarts' landlord and family friend. Cajetan had entered St Peter's Abbey, a Benedictine monastery, whilst the Mozarts were on their grand tour. When he became a priest in 1769, he took the name Pater Dominicus and celebrated his first solemn high mass; this gives the work its nickname, Dominicusmesse. Leopold Mozart conducted the première on 15 October to a packed church in Salzburg; it is thought that the success of this performance led to Wolfgang's first Italian tour.
Due to its length, the mass is classified as a missa solemnis. It is divided into six movements.
1. Kyrie Adagio, C major, common time
- — "Kyrie eleison" Allegro, C major, 3/4
2. Gloria Allegro moderato, C major, 3/4
- — "Laudamus te" Andante grazioso, F major, 2/4; soprano/alto duet
- — "Gratias agimus tibi" Adagio, C major, common time
- — "Propter magnam gloriam tuam" Allegro, C major, common time
- — "Domine Deus" Un poco andante, G major, 3/4; tenor solo
- — "Qui tollis peccata mundi" Un poco adagio, G minor, common time
- — "Quoniam tu" Andante ma un poco Allegro, F major, 3/4; soprano solo
- — "Cum Sancto Spiritu" Alla breve, C major, cut common time
3. Credo Molto allegro, C major, common time
- — "Et incarnatus est" Adagio, F major, 3/4; soloists
- — "Crucifixus" Adagio, C minor, common time
- — "Et resurrexit" Molto allegro, C major, common time
- — "Et in Spiritum Sanctum Dominum" Andante, G major, 3/4; tenor solo
- — "Et in unam sanctam" Moderato, C major, common time
- — "Et vitam venturi saeculi" Allegro, C major, 3/4
4. Sanctus Adagio, C major, common time
- — "Pleni sunt coeli et terra" Allegro, C major, 3/4
- — "Hosanna in excelsis" Moderato, C major, common time
5. Benedictus Allegro moderato, G major, common time; soloists
- — "Hosanna in excelsis" Moderato, C major, common time
6. Agnus Dei Allegro moderato, C major, common time
- — "Dona nobis pacem" Allegro, C major, 3/8
