Mass in C major, K. 257 "Credo"
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The Credo Mass in C major, K. 257, is a mass composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1776.[1] It is scored for SATB soloists, SATB choir, violin I and II, 2 oboes, 2 clarini (high trumpets), 3 trombones colla parte and basso continuo.
Missa in C major | |
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"Credo" | |
Mass by W. A. Mozart | |
Catalogue | K. 257 |
Composed | 1776 (1776): Salzburg |
Movements | 6 |
Vocal | SATB choir and soloists |
Instrumental |
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The Credo Mass has been classified as either a missa solemnis,[2] a missa brevis or a missa brevis et solemnis[1] – its performance time of approximately 25 minutes makes it difficult to categorise in a definitive manner. Its name derives from the long setting of the Credo, in which the word "Credo" is repeatedly sung in a two-note motif.[3] It thus joins a tradition of so-called "Credo Masses", including Mozart's own Kleine Credo Messe (K. 192) and Beethoven's later Missa solemnis.[4] The first performance was in Salzburg in November 1776. This is one of three masses Mozart composed in November and December 1776, all set in C major, including the Piccolominimesse (K. 258) and the Organ Solo Mass (K. 259).[5]
The work consists of six movements.