The occasion for the composition of Mozart's Missa longa is still a matter of speculation, but the Mass remains an exceptional work with it's elaborate choral writing, extended orchestration and dramatic changes. The symphonic qualities of the Coronation Mass reveal influences from Mozart's travels in Paris and Mannheim, as well as a move towards a more operatic style - the memorable soprano solo of the Agnus Dei clearly anticipates the aria 'Dove sono' from Le nozze di Figaro. The richness and variety of this work ensures that it has deservedly remained one of Mozart's most frequently performed Masses. Working with many top orchestras throughout Europe, North America, South America, and Asia, Christoph Poppen is currently principal conductor of the Cologne Chamber Orchestra and principal guest conductor of Hong Kong Sinfonietta. He is former artistic director of the Munich Chamber Orchestra, and former music director of the Deutsche Radio Philharmonie SaarbrÃ¼cken Kaiserslautern. Greatly sought-after as a pedagogue, he has been Professor of Violin and Chamber Music at the Hochschule fÃ¼r Musik und Theater in Munich since 2003 and was also appointed Professor of Violin Chair at the Escuela Superior de MÃºsica Reina SofÃa Madrid in 2021.

Tracklist:

Mass No. 13 In C Major, K. 262 "Missa Longa": I. Kyrie
Mass No. 13 In C Major, K. 262 "Missa Longa": II. Gloria
Mass No. 13 In C Major, K. 262 "Missa Longa": III. Credo
Mass No. 13 In C Major, K. 262 "Missa Longa": IV. Sanctus
Mass No. 13 In C Major, K. 262 "Missa Longa": V. Benedictus
Mass No. 13 In C Major, K. 262 "Missa Longa": VI. Agnus Dei
Mass No. 16 In C Major, K. 317 "Coronation": I. Kyrie
Mass No. 16 In C Major, K. 317 "Coronation": II. Gloria
Mass No. 16 In C Major, K. 317 "Coronation": III. Credo
Mass No. 16 In C Major, K. 317 "Coronation": IV. Sanctus
Mass No. 16 In C Major, K. 317 "Coronation": V. Benedictus
Mass No. 16 In C Major, K. 317 "Coronation": VI. Agnus Dei

UPC: 747313427079
Label: Naxos
Release Date: 9.24.21
Format: CD

Mozart / West German Radio Chorus Cologne - Complete Masses 1 (CD)