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K. 317

Missa in C, "Coronation"

Among Mozart's religious works, the "Coronation" Mass has achieved a status and popularity that approaches that of the Missa in C minor (K. 427) and perhaps even the Requiem in D minor (K. 626). It is certainly among his best-loved Salzburg compositions.

The nickname derives from the tradition that Mozart composed the Mass, in fulfillment of a vow, to commemorate the crowning of the miraculous image of the Virgin in the pilgrimage church of Maria Plain near Salzburg. The authenticity of this tradition has been questioned by recent scholarship. But, as in most such cases, the nickname has stuck.

Notes by Alfred Beaujean in Neal Zaslaw's book describe the reasons for the work's continuing musical appeal: "In festive verve, in richness of contrasts, in the variety of musical ideas developed within the narrowest confines, and in melodic strength, the 'Coronation' Mass surpasses all the other Salzburg masses. Behind the apparent problem-free flow of the work lies very deliberate delicacy of detail." Beaujean goes on to note, as do Alfred Einstein and many other commentators, that the soprano solo of the Agnus Dei foreshadows "Dove sono," the Countess' aria in Le nozze di Figaro (K. 492).

Mozart himself seems to have had a high opinion of this Mass. It was one of a handful of compositions that he carried in his bag to Munich when he went there in 1781 for the completion of Idomeneo (K. 366). Apparently, he was hoping to apply for a permanent position at the Bavarian court.

Recommended recordings:

• Mozart: Kronungsmesse/Vesperae K339, L'oiseau-Lyre 436 585-2
• Mozart: Masses K. 317 & 337, etc., EMI CDC 7 49374 2

References:

• Einstein, Alfred. Mozart, His Character, His Work. New York, 1962.
• Giegling, Weinmann and Sievers, eds. Chronologisch-thematisches Verzeichnis samtlicher Tonwerke Wolfgang Amadé Mozarts, 6th edition. Wiesbaden, 1964.
• Sadie, Stanley. The New Grove Mozart. New York, 1983.
• Zaslaw, Neal, and Cowdery, William, eds. The Compleat Mozart. New York, 1990.