| Mass No. 3 | |
| Composer: | Franz Schubert |
| Key: | B-flat major |
| Catalogue: | 324 |
| Form: | Latin: [[Missa brevis]] et [[Missa solemnis|solemnis]]|italic=no |
| Movements: | 6 |
| Vocal: | choir and soloists |
| Instrumental: | orchestra and organ |
The Mass No. 3 in B-flat major, 324, is a mass composed by Franz Schubert in 1815. It is written for four soloists, a four-part choir and orchestra. While by length it could be a missa brevis, its large orchestral force with trumpets, timpani and woodwinds has also led to its classification as a missa solemnis.[1] [2]
Schubert composed this mass setting a few months after his mass in G major, beginning on 11 November 1815.[2] [3] The occasion for which it was composed is unknown; however, it is thought that the soprano soloist in the first performance was Therese Grob.[4] This suggests that it was written for the Lichtental Parish Church; Schubert may also have been attempting to create opportunities to spend time with Grob, with whom he was deeply in love.[3]
Its large orchestral component and extended orchestral interludes have been called "Haydnesque";[2] the latter's Nelson Mass has been cited as a particularly strong influence.[5] References to Mozart and Bach have also been noted.
While little is now known about the circumstances of the original performance, the mass was familiar outside Vienna. Schubert received a letter from his brother Ferdinand on 6 October 1824, saying that he had been asked to play the organ for a performance of a mass in Hainburg. The mass was by a famous composer whose identity was unknown to the invitees; upon receiving it, Ferdinand recognised his brother's work.[2] [4]
The mass consists of six movements. Performances require approximately 30 minutes. It is scored for soprano, alto, tenor and bass soloists, a four-part choir (SATB) and an orchestra of 2 trumpets, timpani, 2 oboes, 2 bassoons, violin I and II, viola and Italian: [[basso continuo]] (cello, double bass and organ).
In the following table of the movements, the markings, keys and time signatures are taken from the choral score, using the symbol for alla breve (2/2). The voices are abbreviated for the four-part choir (SATB), and the solo voices soprano (S), alto (A), tenor (T) and bass (B).
| No. | Part | Incipit | Voices | Marking | Key | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: Kyrie|italic=no | SATB S A T | Italian: Adagio con moto | 3/4 | ||
| 2 | Latin: Gloria|italic=no | SATB | Italian: Allegro vivace | B-flat major | ||
| Latin: Gratias agimus tibi|italic=no | S T | |||||
| Latin: Domine Deus, Rex coelestis|italic=no | SATB | |||||
| Latin: Domine Deus, Agnus Dei|italic=no | B T S SATB | Italian: Adagio | 3/4 | |||
| Latin: Quoniam tu solus sanctus|italic=no | SATB | Italian: Allegro vivace | B-flat major | |||
| 3 | Latin: Credo|italic=no | Latin: Credo in unum Deum | SATB | Italian: Allegro vivace | B-flat major | 3/4 |
| Latin: Et incarnatus est|italic=no | B S A T | Italian: Adagio | ||||
| Latin: Crucifixus|italic=no | SATB | |||||
| Latin: Et resurrexit|italic=no | SATB | Italian: Allegro vivace | B-flat major | 3/4 | ||
| 4 | Latin: Sanctus|italic=no | SATB | Italian: Adagio maestoso | B-flat major | ||
| 5 | Latin: Benedictus|italic=no | S A T B | Italian: Andante con moto | |||
| Latin: Osanna | SATB | B-flat major | ||||
| 6 | Latin: Agnus Dei|italic=no | S A T SATB | Italian: Andante molto | |||
| Latin: Dona nobis pacem|italic=no | S A T B SATB | Italian: Allegro moderato | B-flat major | 6/8 | ||
. Schubert: The Music and the Man. Brian Newbould. 1999. 36. 9780520219571.