Program Notes

Mozart: Vesperae solennes de confessore, K. 339

In 1780 Mozart was 24, a musician and composer in the service of Hieronymus Colloredo, archbishop of Salzburg. Colloredo was not only a power in the church but also temporal ruler of Salzburg, an independent enclave within the Austrian empire. He had already dismissed Mozart from his service once, and would do so again in 1781, alleging a lack of diligence. Colloredo was probably unhappy about Mozart's prolific musical activity on behalf of other patrons; yet Mozart was also writing church music for Salzburg at a high level of mastery.

A striking example is the Vesperae solennes de confessore of 1780. Vespers is the evening service of the Catholic Holy Office, a liturgical cycle keyed to the hours of the day and prescribing specific psalm texts that vary according to the church calendar. In this work, as the title indicates, Mozart set the psalms designated for use on the feast day of a confessor (a saint who suffered persecution for the faith). Presumably the music was composed for use on a particular saint's day, but there is no record to indicate which one.

Taking advantage of a traditional looseness in the musical structure of the vespers service, Mozart uses five different keys and a wide range of styles and techniques in the six movements of the Vesperae solennes, yet they are bound together by a common quality of brilliance and sense of exhilaration. In the opening Dixit Dominus, Allegro vivace, a highly ornamented orchestral accompaniment conveys an appropriate sense of majesty, yielding to drama as the chorus winds its way through unexpected modulations but returns to C major for a triumphant finish. The second movement, Confitebor, unfolds at a more relaxed allegro pace and brings the solo quartet more into the foreground; with the third (Beatus vir) the tempo marking is again vivace and the soprano soloist moves into prominence, with two harmonically startling entrances on the word "gloria" and a bravura elaboration of a single syllable in the word "exaltabitur" ("shall be exalted").

For Psalm 112 (Laudate pueri) Mozart resorts to a strict fugal style dating back to Renaissance times, a dark D minor tonality, and a melody characterized by a downward leap of a diminished seventh--all atmospheric touches that will reappear in the Kyrie fugue of his famous Requiem. Starkly effective in itself, the movement also sets off to maximum advantage the brief but magical Laudate Dominum that comes next, with its ethereal soprano solo and lilting accompaniment. Finally, the Magnificat provides a sense of closure by bringing back the key of C major, and expresses the spirit of its text through bold melodic shapes and closely knit polyphony.

Text of the Vesperae solennes de confessore

Dixit Dominus Domino meo (Psalm 110)
The Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, thou are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.
He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Confitebor tibi Domine in toto corde meo (Psalm 111)
Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth forever.
He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.
They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Beatus vir qui timet Dominum (Psalm 112)
Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is full of compassion, and righteous.
A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.
His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.
He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Laudate pueri Dominum (Psalm 113)
Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.
Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore.
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised.
The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.
Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high,
Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be joyful mother of children.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Laudate Dominum omnes gentes (Psalm 117)
O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Magnificat anima mea Dominum (Luke 1:46-55)
My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.