Missa Brevis

Missa Brevis received its premiere performance on June 30, 2013, by the St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church Choir, New York City, William Trafka, conductor. This is the third work David Conte has composed for them; the others are Elegy for Matthew in memory of Matthew Shepard (2000), and September Sun in memory of 9/11/2001 (2002). Missa Brevis was composed for both liturgical and concert use. The Kyrie is slow, solemn, and chromatic. The Gloria provides a marked contrast with its fast and lively music with many changing meters and syncopations. The Sanctus is broad and expressive, followed by the faster Hosanna in compound meter. The Benedictus is built over a ground bass and features canonic duets among the four voices. The Agnus Dei returns to the more solemn and chromatic mood of the Kyrie, and ends with an exact recapitulation of the Kyrie music.