This recording was made in the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Saint-Omer, France, on September 15-16, 2016.
Composer Biography
In mid-January 1779, Mozart returned to Salzburg, a place he considered a 'prison' after failing to find a more suitable position elsewhere.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Mozart expressed his frustration with the strict musical requirements in Salzburg, noting that even the most solemn mass could not last longer than 45 minutes.
Composer Biography
Mozart's mother died in Paris on July 3, 1778, during a long journey they undertook together after his father, Leopold Mozart, was dismissed from his post.
Compositional Technique
In the Credo of the Mass, Mozart uses an Adagio section to interrupt the flow, expressing lamentation, guilt, and the verticality of the 'Crucifixus' through musical means.
Historical Context
Archbishop Colloredo, the last prince-archbishop of Salzburg, implemented reforms to simplify worship in 1772, limiting opulence and imposing a sober, functional musical style.
Compositional Technique
Despite strictures, Mozart's Mass K317 and Vespers K339 show his defiance by using sonata form to create dramatic elements and incorporating secular styles.
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