Mass

`As I played through these rococo-operatic sweets-of-sin, I knew I had to write a Mass of my own, but a real one.' --- Igor Stravinsky

Stravinsky's Mass was one of his few uncommissioned works, and its composition was an act of natural piety. It is also significant that a composer of the Orthodox faith, as Stravinsky is, should have written a Catholic Mass and one actually designed for liturgical use.

Background

The reasons behind the composition of the Mass. What were Stravinsky's motives in composing a Catholic Mass, when he was in fact of the Orthodox faith?

Register

The bare essentials of the work, including its orchestration, dedication, and premières in Europe and in America.

Form

A brief listening guide to the work.

Text

The Latin text, with a line-by-line translation in English.

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