Missa Sanctissimae Trinitatis
Encyclopedia
Missa Sanctissimae Trinitatis (The Holiest Trinity Mass) in A-minor, ZWV 17, is the vocal-instrumental sacred work, written by Czech baroque composer Jan Dismas Zelenka
. It was completed in 1736 as the first of five "High Mass" compositions he wrote in the last ten years of his life (Missa Sanctissimae Trinitatis, Missa Votiva - 1740, Missa Dei Patris - 1740, Missa Dei Filii - 1741 and Missa Omnium Sanctorum - 1741). Last three were also called "Missae ultimae" (Last Masses).
text only according to the mass ordinary (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei), but also into shorter parts which form independent musical movements
. In each of them the instrumental grouping, character and style are changed. Old and modern techniques therefore are joined not only in the sense of changing the individual movements, but they also penetrate each other within.
The mass is divided into 19 individual parts. Above all, the choruses reveal the strong influence of contemporary opera
and concerto
, and solo aria
s. The solo aria
s (in Part II, alto
, in VI and XV, soprano
) are much more extensive than other Zelenka's Mass arias of the 1720s. They are introduced by virtuose ritorenellos which go on to demarcate the form. Orchestra
l parts are independent and audially rich with melodiously flowing solo voices. Similarly, the concertante chorus
es (Parts IV, IX and XI) are represented with modern ritornello
s. The orchestra parts in these movements as well are independent and often dominate over the simple homophonic chorus. The influence of the concerto structure is revealed in the contrast between solo vocal and choral parts. The opposite pole of the chorus concerto are the massive choral fugue
s - their dialogue here is not only demonstration of technical mastery of the composer, but also of intellectual depth and significance of the work.
es in the orchestration. The instrumentation include organ
, six violin
s, two viol
s, cello
, contrabass
, two oboe
s, fagotto, arciliuto and is expanded by two solo flute
s and a chalumeau
.
I. Kyrie eleison I (Coro)
II. Christe eleison (Aria, Alto solo)
III. Kyrie eleison II (Coro - Fuga)
IV. Gloria in excelsis Deo (Coro e soli SATB
)
V. Qui tollis peccata mundi (Coro)
VI. Quoniam tu solus Sanctus (Aria, Soprano solo)
VII. Cum sancto Spiritu I (Coro)
VIII. Cum sancto Spiritu II (Coro - Fuga)
IX. Credo in unum Deum (Coro e soli SATB)
X. Et incarnatus est (Coro)
XI. Et resurrexit (Coro e solo Tenore)
XII. Et unam sanctam...Ecclesiam (Soli - SAT)
XIII. Et vitam venturi saeculi (Coro - Fuga)
XIV. Sanctus (Coro) 1:49
XV. Benedictus (Aria, Soprano solo)
XVI. Osanna in excelsis (Coro)
XVII. Agnus Dei I (Soli: Tenore e Basso)
XVIII. Agnus Dei II (Coro)
XIX. Dona nobis pacem (Coro - Fuga)
Jan Dismas Zelenka
Jan Dismas Zelenka , baptised Jan Lukáš Zelenka and previously also known as Johann Dismas Zelenka, was the most important Czech Baroque composer, whose music was notably daring with outstanding harmonic invention and mastery of counterpoint.- Life :Zelenka was born in Louňovice pod Blaníkem, a small...
. It was completed in 1736 as the first of five "High Mass" compositions he wrote in the last ten years of his life (Missa Sanctissimae Trinitatis, Missa Votiva - 1740, Missa Dei Patris - 1740, Missa Dei Filii - 1741 and Missa Omnium Sanctorum - 1741). Last three were also called "Missae ultimae" (Last Masses).
Description
"Missa Santissimae Trinitis" is the composition of combined sacred style - it does not divide the liturgicalLiturgy
Liturgy is either the customary public worship done by a specific religious group, according to its particular traditions or a more precise term that distinguishes between those religious groups who believe their ritual requires the "people" to do the "work" of responding to the priest, and those...
text only according to the mass ordinary (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei), but also into shorter parts which form independent musical movements
Movement (music)
A movement is a self-contained part of a musical composition or musical form. While individual or selected movements from a composition are sometimes performed separately, a performance of the complete work requires all the movements to be performed in succession...
. In each of them the instrumental grouping, character and style are changed. Old and modern techniques therefore are joined not only in the sense of changing the individual movements, but they also penetrate each other within.
The mass is divided into 19 individual parts. Above all, the choruses reveal the strong influence of contemporary opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
and concerto
Concerto
A concerto is a musical work usually composed in three parts or movements, in which one solo instrument is accompanied by an orchestra.The etymology is uncertain, but the word seems to have originated from the conjunction of the two Latin words...
, and solo aria
Aria
An aria in music was originally any expressive melody, usually, but not always, performed by a singer. The term is now used almost exclusively to describe a self-contained piece for one voice usually with orchestral accompaniment...
s. The solo aria
Aria
An aria in music was originally any expressive melody, usually, but not always, performed by a singer. The term is now used almost exclusively to describe a self-contained piece for one voice usually with orchestral accompaniment...
s (in Part II, alto
Alto
Alto is a musical term, derived from the Latin word altus, meaning "high" in Italian, that has several possible interpretations.When designating instruments, "alto" frequently refers to a member of an instrumental family that has the second highest range, below that of the treble or soprano. Hence,...
, in VI and XV, soprano
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
) are much more extensive than other Zelenka's Mass arias of the 1720s. They are introduced by virtuose ritorenellos which go on to demarcate the form. Orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
l parts are independent and audially rich with melodiously flowing solo voices. Similarly, the concertante chorus
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...
es (Parts IV, IX and XI) are represented with modern ritornello
Ritornello
A ritornello is a recurring passage in Baroque music for orchestra or chorus. The first or final movement of a solo concerto or aria may be in "ritornello form", in which the ritornello is the opening theme, always played by tutti, which returns in whole or in part and in different keys throughout...
s. The orchestra parts in these movements as well are independent and often dominate over the simple homophonic chorus. The influence of the concerto structure is revealed in the contrast between solo vocal and choral parts. The opposite pole of the chorus concerto are the massive choral fugue
Fugue
In music, a fugue is a compositional technique in two or more voices, built on a subject that is introduced at the beginning in imitation and recurs frequently in the course of the composition....
s - their dialogue here is not only demonstration of technical mastery of the composer, but also of intellectual depth and significance of the work.
Orchestration
As well as other Zelenka's "High mass", there are not used any brassBrass
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc; the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses with varying properties.In comparison, bronze is principally an alloy of copper and tin...
es in the orchestration. The instrumentation include organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
, six violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
s, two viol
Viol
The viol is any one of a family of bowed, fretted and stringed musical instruments developed in the mid-late 15th century and used primarily in the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The family is related to and descends primarily from the Renaissance vihuela, a plucked instrument that preceded the...
s, cello
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
, contrabass
Contrabass
Contrabass refers to a musical instrument of very low pitch; generally those pitched one octave below instruments of the bass register...
, two oboe
Oboe
The oboe is a double reed musical instrument of the woodwind family. In English, prior to 1770, the instrument was called "hautbois" , "hoboy", or "French hoboy". The spelling "oboe" was adopted into English ca...
s, fagotto, arciliuto and is expanded by two solo flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
s and a chalumeau
Chalumeau
This article is about the historical musical instrument. For the register on the clarinet that is named for this instrument, see Clarinet#Range....
.
Parts
- Kyrie
I. Kyrie eleison I (Coro)
II. Christe eleison (Aria, Alto solo)
III. Kyrie eleison II (Coro - Fuga)
- Gloria
IV. Gloria in excelsis Deo (Coro e soli SATB
SATB
In music, SATB is an initialism for soprano, alto, tenor, bass, defining the voices required by a chorus or choir to perform a particular musical work...
)
V. Qui tollis peccata mundi (Coro)
VI. Quoniam tu solus Sanctus (Aria, Soprano solo)
VII. Cum sancto Spiritu I (Coro)
VIII. Cum sancto Spiritu II (Coro - Fuga)
- Credo
IX. Credo in unum Deum (Coro e soli SATB)
X. Et incarnatus est (Coro)
XI. Et resurrexit (Coro e solo Tenore)
XII. Et unam sanctam...Ecclesiam (Soli - SAT)
XIII. Et vitam venturi saeculi (Coro - Fuga)
- Sanctus
XIV. Sanctus (Coro) 1:49
XV. Benedictus (Aria, Soprano solo)
XVI. Osanna in excelsis (Coro)
- Agnus Dei
XVII. Agnus Dei I (Soli: Tenore e Basso)
XVIII. Agnus Dei II (Coro)
XIX. Dona nobis pacem (Coro - Fuga)
Recordings
- Jan Dismas Zelenka: Missa Sanctissimae Trinitatis by Musica FloreaMusica FloreaMusica Florea is Czech Baroque music ensemble, founded 1992 by conductor and cellist Marek Štryncl, located in Prague.- Profile :The group of young professionals with a common interest in the study and authentic performance of Baroque music engaged primarily in performances and recordings of...
, CD, Studio MatoušStudio MatoušThe Studio Matouš company, founded in 1991, publishes and distributes CDs with classical music. It focus on Czech composers and the majority of recordings is casted by Czech interpreters and recorded both current and historical instruments....
, 1994