Mass in C major, K. 257 "Credo"

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.

CatalogueK. 257

Composed1776 (1776): Salzburg

Movements6

VocalSATB choir and soloists

Quick facts Missa in C major, Catalogue ...

Missa in C major
"Credo"
Mass by W. A. Mozart
Salzburg Cathedral may have been the first performance venue of the mass.
Catalogue	K. 257
Composed	1776 (1776): Salzburg
Movements	6
Vocal	SATB choir and soloists
Instrumental	brass strings continuo

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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.

1. Kyrie Andante maestoso, C major, ³
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   "Kyrie eleison" Allegro, C major,

2. Gloria Allegro assai, C major,
3. Credo Molto allegro, C major, ³
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   "Et incarnatus est" Andante, C major, ⁶
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   "[Credo, credo] Et resurrexit..." Molto allegro, C major, ³
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4. Sanctus Allegretto, C major,

   "Hosanna in excelsis" Molto allegro, C major,

5. Benedictus Allegro, F major,

   "Hosanna in excelsis" Molto allegro, C major,

6. Agnus Dei Andante maestoso, C major, ³
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   "Dona nobis pacem" Allegro vivace, C major,