Programme Notes

The Mass in G Major was written early in 1815 when Franz Schubert was just 18 years old and first performed in the same year in the Viennese parish church of Lichtental. The soprano solo line was undoubtedly written for Therese Grob who Schubert adored.

The Mass has an intimate character heightened by the chamber scoring for three vocal soloists, a string orchestra and organ. There is a marked absence of lengthy polyphonic passages, no long instrumental interludes and no striking textual repetitions. In fact, it has been argued that the piece challenges the traditions of the Catholic Church, with many of the bolder religious references being deliberately understated, in marked contrast to other contemporary settings. This is exemplified by the Credo which is uncharacteristically set homophonically in four parts throughout. Several key religious phrases, for example when the choir describe Christ's birth ('Et incarnatus est'), are glossed over as the melody is carried by sections of the orchestra. There are also several textual omissions in the Gloria and Credo which have been variously interpreted as a mere oversight, a mistake, a local liturgical custom or indeed overt criticism by Schubert of certain ecclesiastical dogmas.

The piece ends not on an energetic finale but rather on a warmer, tender note with the Agnus Dei. Its melancholy and mournful melodies are enriched with profound harmonies which underscore the young composer's maturity. Wind parts were added to the Mass by Schubert's brother Ferdinand which was first published in Prague in 1846 and falsely attributed to Robert Führer.

Lyrics

1. Kyrie eleison

Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison.

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on
us.

2. Gloria

Gloria in excelsis Deo et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis.
Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te. Gratias
agimus tibi, propter magnam gloriam tuam. Domine Deus, Rex coelestis,
Deus Pater omnipotens. Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe, Domine
Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris.
Qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Qui tollis peccata mundi,
suscipe deprecationem nostram.
Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserere nobis. Quoniam tu solus
Sanctus, tu solus Dominus, tu solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe: Cum
sancto Spiritu: in gloria Dei Patris. Amen.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will.
We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we adore Thee, we glorify Thee.
We give Thee thanks for Thy great glory.
O Lord God, heavenly king, God the Father almighty.
O Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son!
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father.
Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Who takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer.
Who sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy upon us.
For Thou alone art holy.
Thou alone art Lord.
Thou alone art most high.
Together with the Holy Ghost in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.

3. Credo

Credo in unum Deum: Patrem omnipotentem, factorem coeli et terrae, visibilium omnium et invisibilium. Et in unum Dominum Jesum Christe, Filium Dei unigenitum, et ex Patre natum ante omnia saecula. Deum de Deo, lumen de lumine, Deum verum de Deo vero, genitum, non factum, consubstantialem Patri, pre quem omnia facta sunt. Qui propter nos homines, et propter nostram salutem descendit de coelis. Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex Maria Virgine et homo factus est. Crucifixus etiam pro nobis sub Pontio Pilato, passus et sepultus est. Et resurrexit tertia die, secundum Scripturas. Et ascendit in coelum, sedet ad dexteram Patris. Et iterum venturus est cum gloria judicare vivos et mortuos, cujus regni no erit finis. Credo in Spiritum Sanctum, Dominum et vivificantem, qui ex Patre et Filo procedit. Qui cum Patre et Filio simul adoratus et conglorificatur: qui locutus est per Prophetas. Et
unam sactam catholicam at apostolicam Ecclesiam. Confiteor unum baptisma in remissionem peccatorum. Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum, et vitam venturi saeculi.
Amen.

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, only-begotten Son of God, born of the Father before the ages; God of God, light of light, true God of true God; begotten, not made; consubstantial with the Father; by Whom all things were made. Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven; and was
incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary; and was made man. He was crucified also for us, suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven. He sitteth on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; and His kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who together with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified; who spoke by the Prophets. And in one, Holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. And I await the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
Amen.

4. Sanctus

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Saboath. Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua. Osanna in exclesis.

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory.
Hosanna in the highest.

5. Benedictus

Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Osanna in excelsis.

Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

6. Agnus Dei

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant us peace.