Mozart provided a steady output of Masses during his time at the court in Salzburg. The fine Missa brevis in G major was composed in 1768 when Mozart was just twelve years old. The theatrical and inventive ‘Credo’ Mass in C major, from 1776, is regarded as one of Mozart’s finest achievements from this period. The profound key of D minor for the Missa brevis, K65, reflects its use at a 40-hour vigil, while the affectionate nickname ‘Spatzenmesse’ (‘Sparrow Mass’) for the Missa brevis in C major refers to the chirping nature of the Sanctus.

This sixth volume in our complete edition of Mozart’s Masses follows hot on the tail of Vol.5 (8574638) released in April 2025. Vol.3 (Naxos 8574514) was considered ‘a splendid Mozart choral album with music that will be new to all but the most hard-core of Mozart fans, with fine studio sound from Cologne’ by AllMusic.com. Vol.2 (8574417) was an American Record Guide Critic’s Choice and described as ‘a wonderful Mozart interpreted with a “Goldilocks” sensibility that avoids stylistic extremes’, while Vol.1 (8.574270) introduced Fanfare to its ‘group of unfamiliar but talented soloists’.

The extremely strong line-up of soloists for this recording includes Chilean soprano Carolina Ullrich, whose recording of songs by Turina (Naxos 8570707) saw her described as ‘a stellar performer’ (American Record Guide) and ‘an inspired choice for this recital’ (MusicWeb International). Baritone Konstantin Krimmel also appeared in Vol.1 of this edition and has won prestigious awards such as the 2019 Deutscher Musikwettbewerb, also being named Opus Klassik Singer of the Year in 2024. German mezzo-soprano Marie Henriette Reinhold is in great demand as a soloist across Germany and abroad who has worked with conductors such as Semyon Bychkov and Herbert Blomstedt, and has recorded for labels such as cpo, Carus and Accentus Music.

From the outset of his career as a conductor, Christoph Poppen’s name has been synonymous with innovative programming and a wide-ranging commitment to contemporary music. Numerous guest conducting engagements have taken him to orchestras such as the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Staatskapelle Dresden, Bamberger Symphoniker, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Detroit and Indianapolis Symphony Orchestras, Wiener Symphoniker, Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo, New Japan Philharmonic, Singapore Symphony Orchestra and Camerata Salzburg. Poppen is chief conductor of the Cologne Chamber Orchestra, music director of the Hong Kong Sinfonietta and principal guest conductor of the Israel Chamber Orchestra.