Jan Dismas Zelenka: Missa purificationis B.V.M.

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Missa purificationis Beatae Virginis Mariae, or „Our Lady´s Purification“ Mass was composed in August 1733 in an incredibly short period of a mere ten days. Its dedication is obvious from the composer´s remarks in the score: it was composed „on the occasion of, by the grace of God, our noblest Princess Elector´s happily accomplished delivery ...“ Hence, the mass was not primarily intended for the day of Virgin Mary´s Purification (February 2nd) but to mark the Queen´s first visit to the church after giving birth to a son. It is a solemn mass with grand instrumentation comprising an ensemble of four trumpets and kettledrums, oboes and flutes. In accordance with period usage, the mass was conceived as a Proper parts or cantata mass, meaning that each section of the text was musicalized as an independent part. Compared with Zelenka´s subsequent church compositions, this is a relatively short composition, which - apart from purely practical liturgical reasons - may also be put down to the haste marking its genesis. In no case, however, did Zelenka allow haste to impair his characteristic musical diction abounding with astonishing harmony, refined counterpoint, stark contrasts and breath-taking ritornelli.