Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Litaniae di Venerabili Altaris Sacramento in E-flat, K. 243

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) composed the Litaniae de Venerabili Altaris Sacramento in E-flat Major, K. 243 in Salzburg in June 1776 while serving as Konzertmeister to the court of Archbishop Hieronymus Colloredo. Intended for the Feast of Corpus Christi and other Eucharistic observances, the work sets the traditional Litany of the Blessed Sacrament for four vocal soloists, chorus, orchestra, and organ. Written during a remarkably productive period that also produced several of Mozart's mature Salzburg sacred works, the litany demonstrates his ability to elevate liturgical forms through expressive choral writing, elegant orchestration, and operatically inspired solo movements while remaining within the practical requirements of church worship. The work was first performed in Salzburg on March 31, 1776. Litaniae de Venerabili Altaris Sacramento, K. 243 is regarded as one of Mozart's finest litany settings and an important example of his sacred music from the Salzburg years.