Mass No. 4 (Schubert)

Mass No. 4
by Franz Schubert
Lichtental Church
Key	C major
Catalogue	D 452
Year	1816 (1816)
Form	Missa solemnis
Movements	6
Vocal	SATB choir and soloists
Instrumental	1816 version: violins and basso continuo 1825 version: additional wind, brass and timpani

Mass No. 4 in C major, D 452, is a mass composed by Franz Schubert in 1816. It was originally scored for soprano, alto, tenor and bass soloists, SATB choir, violin I and II, and basso continuo (cello, double bass and organ). It is classified as a missa solemnis.^[1]

Background

The setting was composed in June–July 1816, and possibly received its first performance in late summer or early fall of the same year at the Lichtental Church.^[2] As in his previous masses, the soprano solos were written with Therese Grob's voice in mind.^[3]

The mass shows the influence of Mozart in Schubert's work, particularly in the original reduced orchestration (the Salzburger Kirchentrio, Salzburg church trio)^[4] and the perceived "lightness of touch".^[5] Schubert's contemporary diary entries confirm his interest in Mozart's missae breves, along with the music of Michael Haydn, another Salzburg composer.^[3]

Schubert made considerable revisions to the mass for subsequent performances. He added parts for 2 oboes or clarinets, 2 trumpets and timpani, all ad libitum, for an 1825 performance in St. Ulrich, Vienna.^[2] He revisited the mass in 1828, seven weeks before his death, with a purely choral setting of the Benedictus (formerly D. 961) to replace the earlier soprano solo.^[6][7] It is likely that this was in anticipation of a performance where a soloist of Grob's calibre was unavailable.

Schubert sold the score of Mass No. 4 and some shorter church works to Anton Diabelli for publishing in 1825.^[8] It was the only mass published during the composer's lifetime.^[9] Schubert dedicated the publication to Michael Holzer, the organist and choirmaster at the Lichtental church, and his teacher in organ, singing, figured bass and counterpoint.^[10]

Structure

The mass consists of six movements. Performances require approximately 23 minutes. Commentary is for D 452, unless otherwise indicated.

1. Kyrie, Andante con moto, C major, common time
2. Gloria, Allegro vivace, C major, common time
3. Credo, Allegro, C major, 3/4

   Et incarnatus est, Adagio molto, D minor, cut common time

   While Schubert habitually omitted certain passages of the Creed, in this mass he makes the unusual exclusion of the words "ex Maria Virgine" (of the Virgin Mary).^[3]

   Et resurrexit, Allegro, C major, 3/4

4. Sanctus, Adagio, C major, common time

   Osanna in excelsis, Allegro vivace, C major, common time

5. Benedictus, Andante, F major, 2/4; soprano solo

   Osanna in excelsis, Allegro vivace, C major, common time

   Benedictus, (D 961) Moderato, A minor, cut common time; choir

   Osanna in excelsis, Allegro vivace, C major, common time

6. Agnus Dei, Adagio, C major, common time

   Dona nobis pacem, Allegro vivace, C major, 3/4

Notes

References

• Black, Leo (2003). Franz Schubert: Music and Belief. ISBN 9781843831358.
• Gibbs, Christopher H. (1997). The Cambridge Companion to Schubert. Cambridge Companions to Music. ISBN 9780521484244.
• Hall, Michael (2003). Schubert's Song Sets. ISBN 9780754607984.
• Howie, Crawford (2008). "Small is beautiful: Schubert's smaller sacred works". In Reul, Barbara M.; Bodley, Lorraine Byrne (eds.). The Unknown Schubert. ISBN 9780754661924.
• Newbould, Brian (1999). Schubert: The Music and the Man. ISBN 9780520219571.
• Shrock, Dennis (2009). Choral Repertoire. ISBN 9780199716623.

External links

• Mass No.4, D.452: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project (includes soprano and choir settings of Benedictus; 1825 orchestration with wind, brass and timpani)
• Free scores of Mass No. 4 in C major, D452 in the Choral Public Domain Library (ChoralWiki) (choir setting of Benedictus only)

This page was last edited on 15 April 2023, at 16:07