A Comparison of Mozart\u27s Missa Brevis in C Major, K.220 and Kodaly\u27s Missa Brevis

This document uses historical research and performance practices in choral music to reveal the meaning of Mozart’s Missa Brevis in C, K. 220. The focus of this research compares the development of Mozart’s composition to the Hungarian Twentieth-century composer, Zoltan Kodaly’s, setting of the Missa Brevis written for choir and organ. The author gives a detailed analysis of both compositions, which further explains the influences and musical nuances of the 18th century Catholic church music. In addition to preparing a choral performance for K. 220, other missa brevis by Mozart are briefly discussed and organized by origin, performing forces, difficulty level, and duration. This analytical approach ultimately reveals that Mozart’s K. 220 serves as a festive and unified model of choral excellence throughout the history of sacred choral music. INDEX WORDS: W.A Mozart, 1756-1791, Missa brevis, K.220, Zoltan Kodaly, 1882- 1897, Spatzenmesse, Masses, Eighteenth- Century church music, Thesis (M.Mu), Choral Conductor’s analysis, Georgia State University, College of Arts and Scienc