Mass in B-flat major Op.post.141 D 324 (Vocal Score)

Schubert Mass in B-flat major Op.post.141 D 324 (Vocal Score)

Despite the pressures of his teaching position, Franz Schubert created a particularly large number of works in the year 1815. Besides around 140 new Lieder, he composed the second and third symphonies, four stage works, the first important compositions for piano, the String Quartet in G minor (D 173) and two Masses: the Mass in G major (D 167) and the Mass in B-flat major, the object of this edition.  Considering that the Mass in F major (D 105) was written from May to July 1814, and the Mass in C major (D 452) during June and July 1816, we can see that Schubert composed four of the six complete Mass settings which have survived from his hand within the short span of two years.

The Mass was presumably first performed in Lichtental shortly after its completion.  The fact that some partly autographic parts – the organ part, three soprano and three alto parts – were made around 1820 seems to point to a second performance.  And from Schubert’s brother Ferdinand, we know that the Mass was performed a third time at the parish church in Hainburg at the beginning of October 1824, since Ferdinand played the organ on that occasion.  The Mass was first issued in 1837 as Opus 141 by the Viennese publisher Tobias Haslinger.

- Urtext of the New Schubert Edition

- Full score, performance material (BA5621) and vocal score (BA5621-90) available for sale