Mass No. 3 (Schubert)

The Mass No. 3 in B-flat major, D 324, is a mass composed by Franz Schubert in 1815. It is four soloists, a four-part choir and orchestra. While by length it could be a missa brevis, its large orchestral force with trumpets, timpani and woodwinds has also led to its classification as a missa solemnis.[1][2]

Mass No. 3
by Franz Schubert
KeyB-flat major
CatalogueD 324
Year1815 (1815)
FormMissa brevis et solemnis
Movements6
VocalSATB choir and soloists
Instrumentalorchestra and organ
Portrait of Franz Schubert by Franz Eybl (1827)

Background

Schubert composed this mass setting a few months after his mass in G major, beginning on 11 November 1815.[2][3] The occasion for which it was composed is unknown; however, it is thought that the soprano soloist in the first performance was Therese Grob.[4] This suggests that it was written for the Lichtental Parish Church; Schubert may also have been attempting to create opportunities to spend time with Grob, with whom he was deeply in love.[3]

Its large orchestral component and extended orchestral interludes have been called "Haydnesque";[2] the latter's Nelson Mass has been cited as a particularly strong influence.[5] References to Mozart and Bach have also been noted.

While little is now known about the circumstances of the original performance, the mass was familiar outside Vienna. Schubert received a letter from his brother Ferdinand on 6 October 1824, saying that he had been asked to play the organ for a performance of a mass in Hainburg. The mass was by a famous composer whose identity was unknown to the invitees; upon receiving it, Ferdinand recognised his brother's work.[2][4]

Structure and scoring

The mass consists of six movements. Performances require approximately 30 minutes. It is scored for soprano, alto, tenor and bass soloists, a four-part choir (SATB), and an orchestra of 2 trumpets, . It is scored for soprano, alto, tenor and bass soloists, a four-part choir (SATB) and an orchestra of 2 trumpets, timpani, 2 oboes, 2 bassoons, violin I and II, viola and basso continuo (cello, double bass and organ).

In the following table of the movements, the markings, keys and time signatures are taken from the choral score, using the symbol for alla breve (2/2). The voices are abbreviated for the four-part choir (SATB), and the solo voices soprano (S), alto (A), tenor (T) and bass (B).

No. Part Incipit Voices Marking Key Time
1KyrieSATB S A TAdagio con motoB-flat major3/4
2GloriaSATBAllegro vivaceB-flat major
Gratias agimus tibiS T
Domine Deus, Rex coelestisSATB
Domine Deus, Agnus DeiB T S SATBAdagioD minor3/4
Quoniam tu solus sanctusSATBAllegro vivaceB-flat major
3CredoCredo in unum DeumSATBAllegro vivaceB-flat major3/4
Et incarnatus estB S A TAdagioF minor
CrucifixusSATB
Et resurrexitSATBAllegro vivaceB-flat major3/4
4SanctusSATBAdagio maestosoB-flat major
5BenedictusS A T BAndante con motoF major
OsannaSATBB-flat major
6Agnus DeiS A T SATBAndante moltoG minor
Dona nobis pacemS A T B SATBAllegro moderatoB-flat major6/8

References
  1. Shrock, Dennis (2009). Choral Repertoire. p. 383. ISBN 9780199716623.
  2. Black, Leo (2003). Franz Schubert: Music and Belief. p. 38. ISBN 9781843831358.
  3. Newbould, Brian (1999). Schubert: The Music and the Man. p. 36. ISBN 9780520219571.
  4. Howie, Crawford (2008). "Small is beautiful: Schubert's smaller sacred works". In Reul, Barbara M.; Bodley, Lorraine Byrne (eds.). The Unknown Schubert. p. 66. ISBN 9780754661924.
  5. Gibbs, Christopher H. (1997). The Cambridge Companion to Schubert. Cambridge Companions to Music. p. 209. ISBN 9780521484244.
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