10038 – Laudate Dominum

from Vesperae solennes de confessore K339

W.A. Mozart (1756-1791)

Arranged by Roger Harvey

Difficulty: Easy

Price: £20

Programme notes:

Mozart wrote 2 settings of the Vespers in 1779-80, probably for Salzburg Cathedral. This was a relatively settled period of his life, back at home, spent writing sacred music, the Sinfonia Concertante for Violin and Viola, the symphonies 33 and 34, various chamber pieces and some incidental music for the theatre.

The vespers K339 consists of 6 unconnected movements, Laudate Dominum appearing as the 5th. It is originally for soprano soloist, chorus and strings.

Performance notes:

The solo part may be taken by a solo trumpet or soprano vocal soloist. The melody lines should float gently and the accompaniment, particularly the semiquaver arpeggios, should be played very smoothly and sotto voce. Keep the bass line tenuto but not too heavy. Make sure that the pairs of quavers 2nd and 3rd trumpets from bar 17 are sotto voce. From D there should be a feeling of soft tutti chorus after the solo voice. Parts may be doubled here if desired.