Composed in Salzburg in March 1780, the Missa Solemnis in C, K. 337, is not only the last mass Mozart composed in Salzburg, but also his last completed mass setting. Within a year he would have settled in Vienna, having lost his position with Archbishop Hieronymous Colloredo following their famous and acrimonious row. In Vienna there was no call for Mozart to compose church music; both masses begun after he moved there, the Mass in C minor, K. 427, and the Requiem in D minor, K. 626, were left incomplete. In marked contrast to the brilliant and popular "Coronation" Mass, K. 317, composed a year earlier, this Mass in C is a more personal work, suggesting perhaps that Mozart wanted to demonstrate that he could break from the prevailing orthodoxy of Salzburg church music. Although designated as a Missa solemnis (Solemn Mass) and including the trombones as usual in such works, it is in fact closer in length (if not spirit) to a Missa brevis (Short Mass), the six movements of the Ordinary lasting barely 20 minutes in all. Nevertheless there is less of a feeling of hurry than in some of the earlier Salzburg masses. Among a number of memorable moments one might cite the sublime opening Kyrie, the remarkable and unusual treatment of the Benedictus as a fugue, and the lyrical beauty of the soprano solo in the Agnus Dei. The vocal disposition consists of the usual soprano, alto, tenor, and bass soloists and chorus, while the orchestration includes trumpets and timpani in addition to pairs of bassoons and oboes, and strings without violas—the last in accordance with normal Salzburg practice.

© All Music Guide