Mass in B flat major

With a total duration of about 30 minutes, Schubert’s Mass in B flat major (D 324), written in 1815, is considerably longer than Mozart’s and Haydn’s classical “Brevis” masses, and its large instrumental ensemble with strings, woodwinds, brass and timpani even gives it a clearly solemn character. Overall, Schubert was inspired by the late Haydn style of the “symphonic mass” (e.g., the division into six large movements, the omission of arias for the vocal soloists who are instead juxtaposed with the choir, singing short passages either singly or as a group) without, of course, achieving its temporal expansion. This is a representative, musically appealing work that excels with its multi-layered, detailed text treatment. It is, therefore, suitable for special occasions and the high feasts of the church year and can be mastered well by experienced church choirs.