Choral music
Classical period Mass
In the Classical period both Mozart and Haydn wrote a number of these works. Haydn in particular wrote regularly in this style and one of the best known is the ‘Paukenmesse’, ‘The mass in time of war’. Listen to the ‘Gloria’ from this work, a movement in a bright major key, as you would expect to reflect the translation, ‘Glory to God in the highest’. Notice the 3/4 time, the use of timpani in the orchestra, repetition, sequence and a return of the opening material at the end of the movement.
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(left) Haydn 1732 - 1809
The Mass said or sung for the dead has a different format from the normal Mass with the addition of two more parts. There have been a number of important works of this kind through the ages. Mozart's Requiem is perhaps the best known from the Classical period with a typically solemn minor key being established at the beginning. The 'Dies Irae', 'Day of wrath', one of the added movements, is very short and dramatic in its style and performance. Listen to the entire movement and notice the use of the timpani to give added dramatic effect.
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One of the most famous examples of Motet from the Classical period is ‘Ave Verum’ by Mozart. This is a much more homophonic example and it is sung by an English cathedral choir.
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