What is a mass in music?
Q: What is a mass in music?
A: A mass in music is a piece of music to be sung by a choir, used by the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran churches.
Q: What are the two broad kinds of masses?
A: The two broad kinds of masses are those using the Ordinary, which are not linked to the Church calendar and use the same pieces (and words) throughout the year; and Proper masses, which cover parts that vary through the year.
Q: What language were masses originally sung in?
A: Masses were originally sung in Latin or Greek.
Q: What are some examples of masses not in English?
A: Examples of masses not in English include "Deutsche Messe" by Franz Schubert and "A German Requiem" by Johannes Brahms.
Q: What is included in the Ordinary part of a mass?
A: The Ordinary part of a mass includes Kyrie (Lord have mercy upon us…), Gloria (Glory be to thee…), Credo (I believe in God the Father…), Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy…) and Agnus Dei (O Lamb of God…).
Q: How was mass music composed during Renaissance period?
A: During Renaissance period church composers set words from Ordinary to polyphonic music - different sections shared melody with equal importance - while Proper words were sung to plainchant.
Q: Who are some famous composers who wrote concert pieces for mass?
A: Some famous composers who wrote concert pieces for mass include Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Berlioz, Dvořák, Verdi, Bruckner Fauré and Vaughan Williams.
