Mass in D major for four solo voices, chorus, orchestra and organ op. 123 (Missa solemnis)

The impetus for the composition of the Missa solemnis was the appointment of Archduke Rudolph as Cardinal Archbishop of Olmütz. Beethoven considered himself particularly bound to this musically gifted member of the imperial house: since 1809 Rudolph had been his pupil, studying composition and piano. But the relationship went far beyond one between teacher and pupil, as is shown by Beethovens many dedications to Rudolph. From 1805 Rudolph had been the Archbishop of Olmütz coadjutor - a position that included the right of succession. This occurred in 1819 when the then Archbishop of Olmütz, Count Maria Thaddäus von Trauttmansdorff-Weinsberg, died on 20 January. Following his formal election in March, Rudolphs appointment was officially confirmed by the Pope in June 1819 and he took up office in the summer. The enthronement celebrations were planned for 9 March 1820 in Olmütz. Hardly had the results of the cathedral chapter election been made known than Beethoven decided to compose a ceremonial mass for the enthronement. Yet he was unable to realize this plan: a year proved to be too little time. Time and again he announced that the Mass was 'soon to be completed' (October 1819) or 'almost finished' (November 1819). Time and again Beethoven put off the Archduke, using such things as the matter of his nephews custody as excuses. He even applied various delaying and stalling tactics towards the publisher Simrock, to whom he wished to sell the Mass from 1820 onwards.

He made everyone wait – and wait they did. After working on it for almost four years, in January 1823 Beethoven finally completed the Mass, which was unparalleled in every respect.

Although the Missa solemnis was primarily intended for use in the Catholic church, even his contemporaries found that it exceeded the bounds of the genre. Beethoven was well aware of this. In a letter to Goethe of 8 February 1823 he wrote that 'the Mass can also be performed as an oratorio'. After classifying it as a concert mass or oratorio, Beethoven offered the finished piece to the European royal courts on a subscription basis in 1823. The Missa solemnis was first performed in April 1824, again not in a liturgical setting but as an 'oratorio', at a concert of the St Petersburg Philharmonic Society arranged by Prince Galitzin. (J.R.)