Mozart: Celebration and Solemnity

Mozart: Celebration and Solemnity. The Western Reserve Chorale presents two of Mozart’s shorter choral/orchestral works: The Mass in C major (Coronation Mass) and the Vesperae solennes de Confessore (The Solemn Vespers).

The title of concert is a bit of of ‘false advertising’ in that the word ‘solemnity’ relates to the title of our opening work Vesperae solennes de Confessore and that both it and the Coronation Mass were written for a ‘solemn’ or ‘high’ mass at Salzburg cathedral. The music itself demonstrates exuberance, joy, lush lyricism, and dynamic, energetic counterpoint rather than solemnity. The two works serve as bookends to Mozart’s second employment period at the Salzburg Cathedral.

The 100+ singers of the Chorale under the direction of Artistic Director, David Gilson are delighted to be joined by soloists: Lauren Vanden Broeck, Joanne Uniatowski, Steven Weems, and Dominic Aragon, along with an instrumental ensemble of gifted professionals on Sunday, March 15, 2026. The concert will be held at 3:30pm at First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland, 3630 Fairmount Blvd, Shaker Heights, OH 44118.