Mass No. 2 (Schubert)
Encyclopedia
Mass No. 2 in G major by Franz Schubert
, D.
167 was composed in 1815.
This is the best known of the three "shorter" mass
compositions which Schubert composed between the more elaborate first and fifth masses. In addition, the later Deutsche Messe or German Mass D.872 (an early Deutsche Singmesse
) and the ultimate sixth mass would be longer.
The second mass, commonly referred to as "Schubert's Mass in G," was composed in less than a week (March 2 to 7, 1815), the year after his first mass had been successfully performed in Schubert's home parish. The second mass was originally more modestly scored than the first, requiring only a string orchestra
and organ
in addition to the soprano, tenor, and baritone soloists and choir
. However, in the 1980s a set of parts for the mass were discovered at Klosterneuburg
which are dated later than Schubert's full score. They not only include minor changes throughout the work, which would apparently represent Schubert's "final" intentions, they also include trumpet
and timpani
parts. This "final" version of the mass is available on a Carus CD; Carus-Verlag also publishes the score and parts for this version. Furthermore, Schubert's brother Ferdinand also wrote parts for woodwind
s, brass
and timpani in response to the work's great popularity.
The original score was not printed until 1845, several decades after Schubert's death, and until then had remained one of Schubert's less noted compositions—so much so that that first edition of the mass had been usurped by Robert Führer
, then director of music at Prague
's St. Vitus Cathedral
, who, eventually, ended up in prison for embezzlement.
Apart from some passages for the soprano soloist, the solistic interventions are very modest. Characteristically for Schubert, he is more interested in an over-all devotional mood of a religious composition than in individualistic romantic text-expression (as Beethoven
for example would use in his masses).
Concert Choir (dir. William Cutter) - 2000:
Franz Schubert
Franz Peter Schubert was an Austrian composer.Although he died at an early age, Schubert was tremendously prolific. He wrote some 600 Lieder, nine symphonies , liturgical music, operas, some incidental music, and a large body of chamber and solo piano music...
, D.
Otto Erich Deutsch
Otto Erich Deutsch was an Austrian musicologist. He is known for compiling the first comprehensive catalogue of the works of Franz Schubert, first published in 1951 in English, new edition in 1978 in German...
167 was composed in 1815.
This is the best known of the three "shorter" mass
Mass (music)
The Mass, a form of sacred musical composition, is a choral composition that sets the invariable portions of the Eucharistic liturgy to music...
compositions which Schubert composed between the more elaborate first and fifth masses. In addition, the later Deutsche Messe or German Mass D.872 (an early Deutsche Singmesse
Deutsche Singmesse
The Deutsche Singmesse is a form of Low Mass that developed in German-speaking countries.-Historical precursors:In Austria, congregational singing of sacred texts in Old High German at Easter Masses is attested by medieval manuscripts dating as early as the twelfth century...
) and the ultimate sixth mass would be longer.
The second mass, commonly referred to as "Schubert's Mass in G," was composed in less than a week (March 2 to 7, 1815), the year after his first mass had been successfully performed in Schubert's home parish. The second mass was originally more modestly scored than the first, requiring only a string orchestra
String orchestra
A string orchestra is an orchestra composed solely or primarily of instruments from the string family. These instruments are the violin, the viola, the cello, the double bass , the piano, the harp, and sometimes percussion...
and organ
Pipe organ
The pipe organ is a musical instrument that produces sound by driving pressurized air through pipes selected via a keyboard. Because each organ pipe produces a single pitch, the pipes are provided in sets called ranks, each of which has a common timbre and volume throughout the keyboard compass...
in addition to the soprano, tenor, and baritone soloists and choir
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
. However, in the 1980s a set of parts for the mass were discovered at Klosterneuburg
Klosterneuburg
Klosterneuburg is an attractive small town in Lower Austria, Austria with a population of 24,442.It is located on the Danube, immediately north of Vienna, from which it is separated by the Kahlenberg and Leopoldsberg hills...
which are dated later than Schubert's full score. They not only include minor changes throughout the work, which would apparently represent Schubert's "final" intentions, they also include trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
and timpani
Timpani
Timpani, or kettledrums, are musical instruments in the percussion family. A type of drum, they consist of a skin called a head stretched over a large bowl traditionally made of copper. They are played by striking the head with a specialized drum stick called a timpani stick or timpani mallet...
parts. This "final" version of the mass is available on a Carus CD; Carus-Verlag also publishes the score and parts for this version. Furthermore, Schubert's brother Ferdinand also wrote parts for woodwind
Woodwind instrument
A woodwind instrument is a musical instrument which produces sound when the player blows air against a sharp edge or through a reed, causing the air within its resonator to vibrate...
s, brass
Brass instrument
A brass instrument is a musical instrument whose sound is produced by sympathetic vibration of air in a tubular resonator in sympathy with the vibration of the player's lips...
and timpani in response to the work's great popularity.
The original score was not printed until 1845, several decades after Schubert's death, and until then had remained one of Schubert's less noted compositions—so much so that that first edition of the mass had been usurped by Robert Führer
Robert Führer
Robert Führer , born Robert Jan Nepomuk Führer, was a Czech composer.- Biography :He was born in Prague. He became the Director of Music at the St. Vitus Cathedral in 1839 at the age of 32. He was deemed to be very talented, but he lived beyond his means...
, then director of music at Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
's St. Vitus Cathedral
St. Vitus Cathedral
Saint Vitus' Cathedral is as a Roman Catholic cathedral in Prague, and the seat of the Archbishop of Prague. The full name of the cathedral is St. Vitus, St. Wenceslas and St. Adalbert Cathedral...
, who, eventually, ended up in prison for embezzlement.
Apart from some passages for the soprano soloist, the solistic interventions are very modest. Characteristically for Schubert, he is more interested in an over-all devotional mood of a religious composition than in individualistic romantic text-expression (as Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of...
for example would use in his masses).
Media
The recording presented below is by the MITMassachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
Concert Choir (dir. William Cutter) - 2000:
Selected recordings
- Schubert: Mass no 2 in G major, D 167 - Dawn UpshawDawn UpshawDawn Upshaw is an American soprano described as "one of the most consequential performers of our time" by the Los Angeles Times. The recipient of several Grammy Awards and Edison Prize-winning discs, Upshaw is at home both in opera and art song, and in repertoire from Baroque to contemporary...
(soprano), David Gordan (tenor), William StoneWilliam Stone (baritone)William Stone is an American operatic baritone. He is a graduate of Duke University and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign...
(baritone), Atlanta Symphony OrchestraAtlanta Symphony OrchestraThe Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Robert Spano has been its music director since 2001...
and Chorus, Robert ShawRobert Shaw (conductor)Robert Shaw was an American conductor most famous for his work with his namesake Chorale, with the Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. Shaw received 14 Grammy awards, four ASCAP awards for service to contemporary music, the first Guggenheim Fellowship...
(conductor). Label: Telarc.