The Mass no. 2 in G major by Franz Schubert, D 167, was composed in 1815.
This is the best known of the three shorter mass compositions which Schubert composed between the more elaborate first and fifth masses. In addition, the later Deutsche Messe or German Mass, D 872,and the ultimate sixth mass would be longer.
The mass no. 2, commonly referred to as Schubert's Mass in G, was composed in less than a week (March 2 to 7, 1815), the year after his first mass had been successfully performed in Schubert's home parish.The second mass was originally more modestly scored than the first, requiring only a string orchestra and organ in addition to the soloists and choir. However, in the 1980s a set of parts for the mass were discovered at Klosterneuburg which are dated later than Schubert's full score.They not only include minor changes throughout the work, which would apparently represent Schubert's final intentions,they also include trumpet and timpani parts.
Apart from some passages for the soprano soloist, the solistic interventions are very modest. Characteristically for Schubert, he is more interested in an overall devotional mood of a religious composition than in individualistic romantic text-expression.
In this edition for women's voices, I use Schubert's first version for strings and organ which fits excellently to the sound of the women's choir.
Schubert: Mass in G Major D-167 (Version for SSAA choir, SSA soli, strings and organ) Vocal Score
