Overview
Introduction
The Missa longa in C major, K. 262/246a, is a mass composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in May 1776. 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.
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. 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. Alternatively, it may have been composed for performance at St Peter's Church.
The mass is divided into six movements.
- Kyrie Allegro moderato, C major, common time
- 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
- 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
- Sanctus Andantino, C major, 3/4
- Benedictus Andantino, F major, 3/4
- Agnus Dei Andante, C major, common time
- "Dona nobis pacem" Allegro, C major, common time
