Missa Sanctissimae Trinitatis

Missa Sanctissimae Trinitatis (The Holiest Trinity Mass) in A minor, ZWV 17, is the vocal-instrumental sacred work, written by Czech baroque composer Jan Dismas Zelenka. It was completed in 1736 as the first of five "High Mass" compositions he wrote in the last ten years of his life (Missa Sanctissimae Trinitatis, Missa Votiva - 1740, Missa Dei Patris - 1740, Missa Dei Filii - 1741 and Missa Omnium Sanctorum - 1741). Last three were also called "Missae ultimae" (Last Masses).

Description

"Missa Santissimae Trinitis" is the composition of combined sacred style - it does not divide the liturgical text only according to the conventional order of mass (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei), but also into shorter parts which form independent musical movements. In each of them the instrumental grouping, character and style differ. Old and modern techniques are joined, therefore, not only in the sense of changing the individual movements, but they also penetrate each other within.

The mass is divided into 19 individual parts. Above all, the choruses reveal the strong influence of contemporary opera and concerto, and solo arias. The solo arias (in Part II, alto, in VI and XV, soprano) are much more extensive than other Zelenka's Mass arias of the 1720s. They are introduced by virtuose ritornellos which go on to demarcate the form. Orchestral parts are independent and rich with melodiously flowing solo voices. Similarly, the concertante choruses (Parts IV, IX and XI) are represented with modern ritornellos. The orchestra parts in these movements also are independent and often dominate over the simple homophonic chorus. The influence of the concerto structure is revealed in the contrast between solo vocal and choral parts. The opposite pole of the chorus concerto are the massive choral fugues - their dialogue here not only demonstrate the composer's technical mastery, but also illustrate the intellectual depth and significance of the work.

Orchestration

As with Zelenka's other High Mass compositions there are no brasses in the orchestration, which includes only organ, six violins, two viols, cello, contrabass, two oboes, fagotto and arciliuto, expanded by two solo flutes and a chalumeau.

Parts

I. Kyrie eleison I (Coro)
II. Christe eleison (Aria, Alto solo)
III. Kyrie eleison II (Coro - Fuga)

IV. Gloria in excelsis Deo (Coro e soli SATB)
V. Qui tollis peccata mundi (Coro)
VI. Quoniam tu solus Sanctus (Aria, Soprano solo)
VII. Cum sancto Spiritu I (Coro)
VIII. Cum sancto Spiritu II (Coro - Fuga)

IX. Credo in unum Deum (Coro e soli SATB)
X. Et incarnatus est (Coro)
XI. Et resurrexit (Coro e solo Tenore)
XII. Et unam sanctam...Ecclesiam (Soli - SAT)
XIII. Et vitam venturi saeculi (Coro - Fuga)

XIV. Sanctus (Coro) 1:49
XV. Benedictus (Aria, Soprano solo)
XVI. Osanna in excelsis (Coro)

XVII. Agnus Dei I (Soli: Tenore e Basso)
XVIII. Agnus Dei II (Coro)
XIX. Dona nobis pacem (Coro - Fuga)

Recordings

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