Vesperae solennes de Dominica (Mozart)

Vesperae solennes de Dominica, K. 321, is a sacred work composed in 1779 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It is scored for SATB soloists, SATB choir, violin I, violin II, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones colla parte, 2 timpani, and basso continuo (bassoon and organ).

It was composed in Salzburg at the request of the Archbishop Colloredo for liturgical use in the city's cathedral. The title "de Dominica" signifies its use in Sunday services.[1]

The setting is divided into six movements, including five psalms and a setting of the Magnificat. A setting of the Minor Doxology (Gloria Patri) concludes all movements, each recapitulating the opening theme. The first three psalms are scored in a vigorous, exuberant manner, contrasting with the strict counterpoint of the a capella Laudate pueri. The Laudate Dominum is set as an extended aria for the soprano soloist with obbligato organ, while the Magnificat opens with a majestic, moderate tempo, only to return to the bolder tempo of the first three psalms.[2]

  1. Dixit Allegro vivace, C major, common time
  2. Confitebor Allegro, E minor, 3/4
  3. Beatus vir Allegro, B-flat major, common time
  4. Laudate pueri F major, cut common time
  5. Laudate Dominum Allegro, A major, 3/4
  6. Magnificat Adagio maestoso, C major, common time
    —"Et exultavit..." Allegro, C major, common time

In 1780, Mozart composed another setting of the Vespers, the Vesperae solennes de confessore, which shares many musical similarities with this work.

Media

Page 1 of the autograph of Vesperae de Dominica "Dixit dominus"
Vesperae de Dominica
1st movement
Dixit dominus (Psalm 109)
(3:36 minutes, 4 MB)
2nd movement
Confitebor (Psalm 110)
(5:59 minutes, 6 MB)
3rd movement
Beatus vir (Psalm 111)
(4:24 minutes, 5 MB)
4th movement
Laudate pueri (Psalm 112)
(3:59 minutes, 4 MB)
5th movement
Laudate Dominum (Psalm 117)
(5:12 minutes, 5 MB)
6th movement
Magnificat (5:57 minutes, 6 MB)
Problems playing these files? See media help.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Robert Gutnam (2011). Mozart. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  2. ↑ Alfred Einstein, Arthur Mendel (1945). Mozart: His Character, His Work. Retrieved 21 February 2013.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Wednesday, March 30, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.