Jan Dismas Zelenka

Missa Dei Filii ZWV 20

Jan Dismas Zelenka's Missa Dei Filii ZWV 20 is the second of the three surviving 'Missae ultimae', but like other 'short masses' in the 18th century it consists only of Kyrie and Gloria. Nevertheless, it is a substantial work, and the multi-part Gloria is considered the most impressive Gloria setting Zelenka created in his more than twenty masses. It remains open whether Zelenka originally planned a complete Mass composition.

The piano reduction by Matthias Grünert is based on the score edited by Paul Horn in volume 100 of the Erbe deutscher Musik, in which the gaps in the musical text that exist in the autograph towards the end of the Gloria have been carefully supplemented.

'Zelenka's artistic personality, biography and composing style stand out. His style is highly experimental ... Was Zelenka really one of the greatest composers of the 18th century or just one of the most interesting? I believe he still has many a surprise in store for us.' (Schweizerische Musikzeitung)

'Zelenka's masses - splendors of Baroque choral literature, in some parts more colorfully set than Bach's corresponding composition.' (Die Welt)