Mass in C major, K. 220 "Sparrow"
| Missa brevis in C major | |
|---|---|
| "Sparrow" | |
| Mass by W. A. Mozart | |
Salzburg Cathedral may have been the first performance venue of the mass. | |
| Catalogue | K. 220/196b |
| Movements | 6 |
| Vocal | SATB choir and soloists |
| Instrumental |
|
The Sparrow Mass (German: Spatzenmesse) is a mass in C major K. 220/196b, Mass No. 9, Missa brevis No. 5, composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1775 or 1776 in Salzburg. The mass is sometimes termed a missa brevis et solemnis, because it is short in a simple structure as a missa brevis, but festively scored like a missa solemnis with brass and timpani in addition to four soloists, strings and organ. It was possibly first performed on 7 April 1776 in a mass for Easter at the Salzburg Cathedral. The nickname is derived from violin figures in the Hosanna which resemble bird chirping.