Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus: Missa in C "Krönungsmesse"

The richly orchestrated Missa in C minor K. 317 was probably one of the first church music works that Mozart composed at the beginning of 1779 as the newly appointed Salzburg court organist. With a large orchestra, choir and four soloists, the composer impressively demonstrates his skills. The nickname “Coronation Mass” has a long tradition and is already mentioned in the first edition of the Köchel catalogue; however, it does not go back to the premiere, which took place on one of the Easter holidays in April 1779. In all probability, the mass was performed in 1791 at the coronation celebrations in Prague for Leopold II and – after his unexpected death – in 1792 for Franz I under Antonio Salieri. For this vocal score, Andreas Köhs has provided an improved orchestral reduction which optimally transfers the instrumental parts to the piano while ensuring playability. The vocal parts are based on the Urtext of the “New Mozart Edition”.