Große Messe – Collegium vocale Gent (Zürich)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart [1756–1791]

Symphony No.40, K.550
Mass in C-minor K.427 “Grosse Messe”

Regula Mühlemann soprano
Sophie Harmsen mezzo-soprano
David Fischer tenor
Krešimir Stražanac bass

Collegium Vocale Gent choir
Orchestre des Champs Elysées orchestra
Philippe Herreweghe conductor

In 1782 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart married Constanze Weber without first obtaining the approval of his father Leopold. At that time he had been living in Vienna for some time as a composer and keyboard virtuoso. Wolfgang hoped to regain his father’s favour by promising to write a Mass for the archbishop of Salzburg. The orchestral and vocal forces and the proportions of this Grosse Messe in C minor K.427 would have undoubtedly resulted in a monumental missa solemnis, but sadly it remained unfinished. Still, this is Mozart at his best: full of masterly bravura, carefree elegance and emotional depth.