Vesperae solennes de Dominica, K. 321, is a sacred choral composition, written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1779. It is scored for SATB choir and soloists, violin I and II, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones colla parte, 2 timpani, and basso continuo (bassoon and organ).

Vesperae solennes de Dominica
Solemn Vespers by W. A. Mozart
Page 1 of the autograph:, Dixit dominus
Catalogue	K. 321
Text	Psalms 110–113, 117 Magnificat
Language	Latin
Composed	1779 (1779): Salzburg
Movements	6
Vocal	SATB choir and soloists
Instrumental	brass and timpani violins continuo

Vesperae de Dominica 1st movement (3:46) Dixit dominus (Psalm 110) (3:36 minutes, 4 MB) 2nd movement (6:00) Confitebor (Psalm 111) (5:59 minutes, 6 MB) 3rd movement (4:24) Beatus vir (Psalm 112) (4:24 minutes, 5 MB) 4th movement (3:59) Laudate pueri (Psalm 113) (3:59 minutes, 4 MB) 5th movement (5:12) Laudate Dominum (Psalm 117) (5:12 minutes, 5 MB) 6th movement (5:57) Magnificat (5:57 minutes, 6 MB)

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It was composed in Salzburg at the request of the Archbishop Colloredo for liturgical use in the city's cathedral. The title "de Dominica" signifies its use in Sunday services.[1] In 1780, Mozart composed another setting of Solemn Vespers, the Vesperae solennes de confessore, which shares many musical similarities with this work.

Structure

The setting is divided into six movements, including five psalms and a setting of the Magnificat. A setting of the Minor Doxology (Gloria Patri) concludes all movements, each recapitulating the opening theme. The first three psalms are scored in a vigorous, exuberant manner, contrasting with the strict counterpoint of the a cappella Laudate pueri. The Laudate Dominum is set as an extended aria for the soprano soloist with obbligato organ, while the Magnificat opens with a majestic, moderate tempo, only to return to the bolder tempo of the first three psalms.[2]

1. Dixit Allegro vivace, C major,
2. Confitebor Allegro, E minor, ³
   ₄
3. Beatus vir Allegro, B♭ major,
4. Laudate pueri F major,
5. Laudate Dominum Allegro, A major, ³
   ₄
6. Magnificat Adagio maestoso, C major,

   "Et exultavit" Allegro, C major,

References

External links

• Media related to Vesperae de Dominica at Wikimedia Commons
• Vesperae solennes de Dominica, KV 321: Score and critical report (in German) in the Neue Mozart-Ausgabe
• Free scores of Vesperae solennes de Dominica in the Choral Public Domain Library (ChoralWiki)
• Vesperae solennes de Dominica: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project