Mozart: "Coronation" Mass - Ave verum corpus - Exsultate jub

On this disc, the Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge performs Mozart’s ‘Coronation Mass’ alongside four distinguished soloists and the period instrument ensemble St John’s Sinfonia. Notably, soprano Susan Gritton has amassed a vast discography that has earned her two Grammy nominations and includes, for Chandos, recordings of works by Haydn, Schubert, Mendelssohn, and Vaughan Williams. The ‘Coronation’ Mass achieved great renown after its performance at the Imperial Coronation in Prague, which took place nine months after Mozart’s death. The opulence of the Gloria, in particular, is unmistakable, and the alternations between soloists and choir add drama to the text, which Mozart scored with operatic clarity. Here the choir forcefully praises and glorifies, while the soloists more intimately bless and worship. Also on this disc is Susan Gritton’s first-ever recorded performance of Mozart’s dramatic solo cantata Exsultate jubilate, and a motet for the Feast of Corpus Christi, Ave verum corpus.