Kyrie eleison

Mozart's Great Mass in C minor was composed during 1782-83. The Kyrie and Gloria were first performed in the Church of St. Peter's Abbey in Salzburg on 26 October 1783. The premiere took place in its natural context of a Roman Catholic Mass, and the performers were members of the "Hofmusik", that is the musicians employed at the court of Salzburg's ruler, Prince-Archbishop Count Hieronymus von Colloredo. Mozart's wife Constanze was the soloist for the first soprano at the premiere.

This mass was included in the soundtrack for the Academy Award nominated animated feature: The Triplets of Belleville for a scene at sea. The opening Kyrie movement evoked the somber mood of a mother shadowing her only son in the turmoil of a stormy sea.

Because Maryse's birthday coincided with the date of premiere of this Great Mass, and it has been exactly one month since she departed, this mass is for her: Kyrie (Andante moderato: Chorus and Soprano) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Berliner Philharmoniker conducted by Herbert Von Karajan - Barbara Hendricks, Soprano.
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