External Solemnity of St. Lawrence 2026
Processional Hymn: O Thou, the Martyrs’s Glorious King, 872
Hymn of Thanksgiving: Te Deum, music sheets found in back of church
Recessional hymn: Praise to the Holiest in the Height, 922
Kyriale: Missa Brevis in D, KV64, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Motet after Offertory: Ave Verum Corpus, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Motet during communion: Laudate Dominum, a8 (II), Claudio Monteverdi (1567–1643)
Hymn at Communion: Deus Tuorum Militum, Claudio Monteverdi
The Mass in d (KV 65) by W. A. Mozart is the only Missa Brevis he set in a minor key and was only 12 at the time of its composition. Masses from this time period are rich with the use of text painting, which is where the composer will write the melody, rhythm, or chords to mirror the literal meaning or emotional intent of the words. This is heard clearly during the Credo when voices on the word descendit (meaning descended) have a falling phrase.
Claudio Monteverdi’s setting of the shortest Psalm, Laudate Dominum, also uses text painting in a grand way. The initial two voices enter with the words praise the Lord then all the voices enter on all ye peoples and similarly on the next line of text for praise the Lord, all ye nations.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791) was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical period and perhaps the most widely celebrated in the history of Western music. Despite his short life, his rapid pace of composition resulted in more than 800 works including Masses, symphonies, operas, and chamber works.